german unification/ italian unification?

Question

Could germany or Italy have sucessfully unified their individual countries if the other country were not unifying at the same time?

Answer 1

I believe that they could have easily. First, France and Great Britain had been unified for a long time and well on their way to being industrial powers. Germany and Italy were late comers in the unification movement but nonetheless very successful in bringing their countries under one central government and one major language. The days of individual kingdoms within a larger nation were long gone. It was necessary to unify in order to compete on the world stage for markets and spheres of influence. Both Bismark and Garabaldi were right for the times and helped unite their people behind a central government.

Answer 2

Yes. At the time of German unification, Germany was actually at war with France and that did not stop them from unifying.
Nobody much bothered what Italy was up to as it was not strong enough to pose any threat to the powers of that time, Britain, France and Germany.

Answer 3

Yes, I think Bismark was a visionary and sought to achieve German unification, completely regardless of Garibaldi/Mazzini/Cavour's efforts in the Risorgimento.