One of the largest obstacles preventing the unification of the Italian states was the presence of foreign powers, especially Austria, that controlled much of the Italian peninsula and were opposed to Italian unification. Austria in particular had a strong presence and influence in northern Italy, making it difficult for Italian nationalists to unify the region. Similarly, the Papal States and Kingdom of the Two Sicilies were also strong opponents of unification. Additionally, there were internal divisions among the Italian states, including regional rivalries and differences in culture, religion, and political ideologies, which made it challenging to create a unified Italian nation.
