Giuseppe Mazzini Philosopher, politician and patriot

Early years Born in 1805, in a country ruled over by the French empire, Mazzini realised from the start the need for a unified and independent Italy. In 1830, 15 years after the French were finally defeated, he moved to Tuscany, joining the local carbonari. However, soon after, he was betrayed and subsequently imprisoned. Released a year later, he fled to Austria, and then to Marseille, France. In Marseille, Mazzini founded the movement “la giovine Italia”(or “Young Italy”), intending to replace the unsuccessful Carbonari. Its aims included a unified Italian republic. These ideals were popular with many, and by 1833 there were an estimated members. However, their fist attempt at revolution was found out, and many prominent members were executed. Mazzini was arrested twice, before travelling to London in 1837, seeking In Marseille, Mazzini founded the movement “la giovine Italia”(or “Young Italy”), intending to replace the unsuccessful Carbonari. Its aims included a unified Italian republic. These ideals were popular with many, and by 1833 there were an estimated members. However, their fist attempt at revolution was found out, and many prominent members were executed. Mazzini was arrested twice, before travelling to London in 1837, seeking safety. In London, Mazzini reformed the Young Italy, as well as attempting to create several other societies aimed at unification in other countries (Young Poland, Young Germany), as part of his Young Europe ideal. Subsequent revolutions failed, and Mazzini still resided in London by 1847.

Later life In 1848, Mazzini returned to Milan, to take part in the first Italian was of independence. This turned into a complete failure for the Lombardy and Piedmont. Mazzini abandoned Milan, joining up with Garibaldi. In 1849, Rome was declared a republic, and the Pope fled. Mazzini was appointed as leader of the republic. He quickly established himself as an efficient leader, implemented a series of social reforms, and gaining popularity. However, after the French army crushed much of Garibaldi's resistance, Mazzini again fled, moving to Switzerland. Over the next 15 years, Mazzini attempted a series of uprisings. However, all ended in failure, and Mazzini became merely a side-line figure. He died in 1872, in Pisa, Italy. In 1848, Mazzini returned to Milan, to take part in the first Italian was of independence. This turned into a complete failure for the Lombardy and Piedmont. Mazzini abandoned Milan, joining up with Garibaldi. In 1849, Rome was declared a republic, and the Pope fled. Mazzini was appointed as leader of the republic. He quickly established himself as an efficient leader, implemented a series of social reforms, and gaining popularity. However, after the French army crushed much of Garibaldi's resistance, Mazzini again fled, moving to Switzerland. Over the next 15 years, Mazzini attempted a series of uprisings. However, all ended in failure, and Mazzini became merely a side-line figure. He died in 1872, in Pisa, Italy. Mazzini was criticized for the inaccessibility of his works to the working classes (his ideals were very complicated, and often beyond comprehension. His journals were described by Karl Marx as “nothing better than the old idea of a middle-class republic”. However, his aim of a United States of Europe preceded the creation of the EU by almost one hundred years, demonstrating the relevance of his ideals. Mazzini was criticized for the inaccessibility of his works to the working classes (his ideals were very complicated, and often beyond comprehension. His journals were described by Karl Marx as “nothing better than the old idea of a middle-class republic”. However, his aim of a United States of Europe preceded the creation of the EU by almost one hundred years, demonstrating the relevance of his ideals.