before 1861, italy was not a state. the area included a group of separate states that were ruled by other countries (such as austria, france, and spain). in the 1850s, the earl of camillo benso, count of cavour was the head of government of the "state of sardinia". he talked to the austrians in lombardy and veneto and said they should create a northern italian state. this happened, but other central and southern italian states also joined piedmont to create a bigger state.