Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia-Piedmont from…

Victor Emmanuel II, King of Sardinia-Piedmont from 1849, appoints the conte de Cavour, Camillo Benso, premier on November 4, 1852.

Cavour is generally liberal and believes in free trade, public right of opinion, and secular rule, but remains an enemy of the republicans and revolutionaries inside Piedmont, attempting to balance their needs.

Cavour formulates international commercial treaties and draws on foreign capital to reduce the public debt, stimulate economic growth, and develop a railroad system.

Cavour's dynamism is viewed with suspicion by conservatives and even by d'Azeglio.

Through an alliance with center-left deputies that becomes known as the connubio, Cavour displaces d'Azeglio as head of the cabinet.

Despite disagreements between Cavour and the king (who is influenced by the clerical party and occasionally displays absolutist tendencies), various ecclesiastical, judicial, and fiscal reforms are introduced.