Final answer:
The unifications of Germany and Italy were significantly facilitated by homogeneous religious and social make-up and the economic interests that favored industrial and political unity. Common cultural and linguistic ties, combined with the drive towards economic growth and military strength, played central roles in their unification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The respective unifications of Germany and Italy in the late nineteenth century were most significantly facilitated by homogeneous religious and social make-up and economic interests, rather than by diverse religious and social make-up, economic disparities, or foreign intervention. Although there were some variations in dialects and culture within the regions, the drive for unification was largely supported by common linguistic, historical, and cultural ties. Moreover, economic unity and industrial strength were seen as necessary for the prosperity and international competitiveness of the newly-formed nations. As regions like Prussia experienced rapid industrial growth, others saw the benefit of aligning themselves economically and politically with such an industrially powerful neighbor.
To illustrate, Germany's political unification in the mid-nineteenth century was characterized by a cultural and linguistic unity and supported by strong economic motives, particularly after the Franco-Prussian War. Likewise, in Italy, a common national identity was fostered by shared goals and collective aspirations against authoritarian rule, although regional economic disparities existed that often made unification challenging. Nonetheless, unification was achieved, and this sense of nationalism and desire for growth played a central role.