In 1870, with the onset of the Franco-Prussian War, France was forced to withdraw its troops from Rome where they had secured the Pope's authority since 1849. With the absence of the French soldiers, Rome came under Italian rule and this same year was declared the new capital. With this addition to the state, the task of Italian unification was complete. Finally, after eleven years of plotting, war, and compromise Italy was one. But, would any of …showed first 75 words of 1607 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1607 total…peninsula. Now though it is easier for us to see that without the assistance of Louis Napoleon this never would have been possible. His ability to find a way to meet with Cavour without arousing many suspicions, his careful planning to keep the other nations of Europe at bay, and mostly his contribution of 200,000 troops and himself as their commander were all essential to the success of this plan and ultimately the unification of Italy.