Final answer:
Italy encountered several challenges during its unification process, including political division, geographical barriers, lack of foreign support, and religious conflict, all exacerbated by economic disparities between the north and south. All given options are valid.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unification of Italy was fraught with various challenges that hampered the process of becoming a single nation-state. One of the major challenges faced was political division. Prior to unification, Italy was a loose coalition of states, each with its own government, cultural traditions, and dialects, and many of them were under the control of foreign powers like the Austrian Empire and the Catholic Church.
Another significant obstacle was geographical barriers. The natural landscape of Italy, with its mountainous terrain, made it difficult to unify the various regions. Additionally, the economic disparities between the industrialized north and the agriculturally based south created tension. The south became the unfortunate loser of the unification wars, facing increased taxes and extinguished local industries without compensation or public works to boost the economy.
Italy also had to contend with a lack of foreign support. Many foreign nations were wary of a unified Italy that could potentially alter the balance of power in Europe. Lastly, there were elements of religious conflict, primarily with the Papal States, which were under the direct control of the Pope and resisted incorporation into a unified Italy.
Despite these hurdles, the widespread sentiment of nationalism provided the necessary impetus for change and drove the various states towards unification. However, the process was not without strife and societal disadvantages, including the burden on the rural poor and the societal disruptions caused by conflict.