Mazzini

(Guiseppe Mazzini)

1805–1872

Guiseppe Mazzini was a driving force behind Italian Unification. He was an associate of Guiseppe Garibaldi, and intensely disliked Cavour, the Sardinian prime minister. Although Mazzini spent most of his life running from one country to the other to avoid the authorities, he never forsook the cause of Italian Unity. He was sorely disappointed when Italy finally did unite, because he had envisioned a republic similar to the United States of America, rather than a kingdom under a monarch. His differences with the new ruling government of Italy got him into trouble on multiple occasions. Although some claim that Mazzini did not make any significant contribution after 1848, he is still considered one of the fathers of Italian Unification, and a key founder of Modern Italy.


Key events during the life of Guiseppe Mazzini:


Year
Event
1805
Born in Genoa, to Giacomo Mazzini (a university professor) and his wife Maria Drago.
1819
Enters University at age 14, studies law.
1826
Graduates from University as a lawyer.
1827
Travels to Tuscany, becomes member of the Carbonari.
1827
Arrested at Genoa for association with radicals, imprisoned at Savona.
1828-29
Collaborates with Genoese newspaper L'indicatore genovese, later closed by the authorities. Becomes one of leading authors of L'Indicatore Livornese, until that paper is also closed by the authorities.
1831
Released from imprisonment, chooses exile in Geneva, Switzerland, rather than house arrest.
1831
Goes to Marseille, organizes secret society La giovine Italia (Young Italy) to promote Italian unification.
1833
First attempt at insurrection fails. 12 participants executed. Mazzini's best friend and director of Genoese section of Giovine Italia, Jacopo Ruffini, kills himself. Mazzini tried in absentia and sentenced to death.
1833
Guiseppe Garibaldi joins Young Italy. Assists Mazzini with second insurrection, which also fails.
1834
Organizes Young Europe (Giovine Europa) while in Bern, with goal of international liberty.
1834
Mazzini arrested and exiled from Switzerland. Moves to Paris, but is imprisoned and then released when he promises to leave.
1837
Moves to England, together with other revolutionary refugees.
1837
Published first essay; Dell'amor patrio di Dante (On Dante's Patriotic Love).
1840
Reforms the Giovine Italia in London, begins issuing the Apostolato popolare (Apostleship of the People).
1841
Creates Italian school for poor people, at 5 Greville Street, London.
1843
Attilio and Emilio Bandiera, two young officers of the Austrian Navy, attempt to assist with uprising in Naples, but are arrested and killed. British government admitts to reading Mazzini's private correspondence and passing on the contents to the Austrian and Neapolitan governments.
1847
Founds People's International League.
1848
Goes to Paris, launches new political association; Associazione Nazionale Italiana.
1848
Reaches Milan, which rebelled against the Austrian garrison and established a provisional government. First War of Italian Unification fails. Mazzini joins Garibaldi's irregular force at Bergamo, moves to Switzerland.
1849
February 9th. Republic declared in Rome. Mazzini reaches Rome that same day.
1849
March 29th. Appointed member of triumvirate, becomes foremost leader of new government.
1849
July 12th. French troops defeat troop under Garibaldi. Mazzini leaves Rome for Marseille and then Switzerland.
1850
Hides from Swiss police. In July, founds association Amici di Italia (Friends of Italy) in London to further cause of Italian liberation.
1852-53
Failed uprisings in Mantua and Milan. Mazzinian organization never recovers prestige.
1854
Felice Orsini fails to assasinate Emperor Napoleon III of France.
1856
Returns to Genoa to organize more uprisings, which fail. Mazzini escapes police but is condemned to death.
1858
Founds journal Pensiero e azione (Thought and Action) in London.
1859
While in London, signs a manifesto together with 151 republicans against the alliance between Piedmont-Sardinia and Napoleon III of France.
1860
Attempts to reach Garibaldi before the Expedition of the Thousand. Also publishes Doveri dell'uomo (Duties of Man). Asked to leave Naples by Garibaldi's vice-dictator Giorgio Pallavicino.
1861
Kingdom of Italy formed under Victor Emmanuel II.
1862
Joins Garibaldi in his attempt to free Rome, which fails.
1866
Venetia ceded to Italy by France.
1867
Refuses seat on the Italian Chamber of Deputies.
1870
Arrested and imprisoned in Gaeta during an attempt to free Sicily.
1870
Freed from prison in October due to amnesty conceded after the successful capture of Rome. Returns to London in mid-December.
1872
Dies of pleurisy in Pisa. His body is embalmed by Paolo Gorini. His funeral is held in Genoa, with 100,000 people taking part in it.


Contemporary
Short Biography
Victor Emmanuel II Became first king of a United Italy after Garibaldi handed over control of Naples. Previously Savoyard King of Sardinia.
Garibaldi Led several campaigns in the Wars of Italian Unification. Renowned as a hero patriot of Italy.
Cavour Prime minister of Sardinia who used skill and diplomacy to unite Italy under the rule of the Piedmont king.
Pope Pius IX Long serving pope who reigned during the unification of Italy. Famous for Vatican I, papal infallibility doctrine, and Syllabus of Errors.
Napoleon III Nephew of Napoleon, elected emperor of France after revolution of 1848. Deposed after disastrous Franco-Prussian War.