Following the Risorgimento, the newly united Italy was recognized as the "sixth great power" by Austria, Prussia, France, Russia and the British Empire.[24] Italians achieved unification and independence from Austria and the House of Bourbon, securing national unification in 1861.[25][26] The papacy called France to resist unification, fearing that giving up control of the Papal States would weaken the Church and allow the liberals to dominate conservative Catholics.