Le IDEE di ITALIA nel RISORGIMENTO

Summary

The transcript discusses the post-1820s and 1830s Italian unification efforts led by Giuseppe Mazzini and his Young Italy movement, facing significant challenges and failures. It highlights the lack of organization and popular support as key issues in their unsuccessful uprisings. Mazzini's ideas evolve, and he moves to London, where he re-founds Young Italy, focusing on worker cooperation. The narrative also covers alternative ideas for Italian unity, such as federalism, liberal moderates' focus on reform and culture, and the neo-Guelf movement. The script touches on various intellectuals and their contributions to shaping Italy's path towards unification, emphasizing the need for gradual reforms and a united national vision under the guidance of leaders like Carlo Alberto of Savoy.

Takeaways

• 📜 Giuseppe Mazzini was a key figure in the Italian unification movement, promoting the cause of Italian independence and unity through his organization, Young Italy.
• 🎶 After the failures of the 1820 and 1830 revolutions, Mazzini continued to inspire through his message, leading to numerous uprisings across the Italian peninsula despite many failures and executions.
• 🌍 Giuseppe Garibaldi, a young man of Nice origin, was influenced by Mazzini's ideas and later became a significant figure in the unification process, despite initially fleeing to South America to save his life.
• 💡 The lack of organization among the conspirators and minimal popular participation were two main factors that led to the failure of the planned uprising in Genoa in 1834.
• 🌧️ Mazzini experienced a crisis of doubt in 1836 due to the continuous failures of his revolutionary attempts, but he emerged with a renewed commitment to the Italian cause.
• 🇬🇧 In 1837, Mazzini moved to London where he began the process of refounding Young Italy, this time focusing more on the working class.
• 🚀 The second Young Italy was established in 1839, with Mazzini still advocating for his revolutionary attempts, including those of the Bandiera brothers in Calabria, which ended in their execution.
• 🔄 The repeated failures of Young Italy led to a decline in Mazzini's popularity and the rise of more moderate and reformist ideas for the unification of Italy.
• 🌟 Carlo Cattaneo, a republican from Milan, proposed federalism as an alternative to Mazzini's centralized solution, advocating for a federation of republics similar to the United States or Switzerland.
• 📚 The Moderate Liberals, including Catholics like Alessandro Manzoni and Antonio Rosmini, focused on introducing reforms, reducing customs barriers, and promoting scientific and economic culture.
• 🏛️ The idea of a moderate liberal approach gained traction, with figures like Cesare Balbo and Massimo d'Azeglio proposing gradual and peaceful reforms under the guidance of the House of Savoy.

Q & A

What was Giuseppe Mazzini's response to the failures of the 1820 and 1830 movements?

Giuseppe Mazzini, after the failures of the 1820 and 1830 movements, was convinced that he had found a solution for the Italian cause. He and his Young Italy faced almost impossible challenges, but their enthusiasm, transmitted through Mazzini's message, provoked numerous revolts across the peninsula.

What were the two main factors that led to the failure of the 1834 uprising in Genoa?

The two main factors that led to the failure of the 1834 uprising in Genoa were the lack of organization among the conspirators and the minimal popular participation.

Who was Giuseppe Garibaldi and what happened to him after the failed uprisings?

Giuseppe Garibaldi was a young man of Nice origins who appeared during the 1834 uprising in Genoa. After the failure of the uprisings, he was forced to flee to South America in order to save his life.

How did Mazzini's experiences with the failures of the 1830s influence his approach to the Italian cause?

Mazzini's experiences with the failures of the 1830s led him to a profound change, but he remained committed to the Italian cause. In 1837, he moved to London and began a process of re-founding Young Italy, this time focusing more on the working class.

What was the second Young Italy and what did Mazzini believe in regarding the social classes?

The second Young Italy emerged in 1839, and although Mazzini was not a socialist, he believed in a republican democracy based on the cooperation of social classes.

Who were the Bandiera brothers and what was their fate?

The Bandiera brothers, Attilio and Emilio, were Venetian officers of the Austrian Navy and secret members of Young Italy. They attempted to provoke a revolt among the Calabrian population in 1844. However, they were arrested by the Bourbon police and executed on July 25, 1844, with their last words being 'Viva l'Italia'.

What was Carlo Cattaneo's vision for a united Italy?

Carlo Cattaneo, a republican from Milan, envisioned a federation of republics similar to the United States or Switzerland, founded on popular sovereignty and social equality. This project, based on municipal realities, was called municipal federalism or communal federalism.

What were the main focuses of the Liberal Moderates in Italy?

The Liberal Moderates focused on three main issues: the introduction of reforms by sovereigns, the dismantling of customs barriers, and the promotion of science and economic culture.

What was the significance of the 'Cinque Piaghe della Santa Chiesa' published by Antonio Rosmini in 1848?

The 'Cinque Piaghe della Santa Chiesa' accused the popes and bishops of being too tied to temporal power and forgetting their faith. The book was banned and contributed to the formation of a movement that aimed to modernize the Church through internal reforms.

How did the idea of neoguelphism differ from Mazzini's revolutionary democratic ideas?

Neoguelphism, inspired by the work of Vincenzo Gioberti, proposed that Italy could achieve its primacy among great powers only through an entity led by the Church and the Pope. It suggested a confederation of states with the armed force of the Kingdom of Sardinia, differing from Mazzini's revolutionary approach.

What was the proposal of Cesare Balbo in 'Le Speranze d'Italia'?

Cesare Balbo proposed a federal monarchy in 'Le Speranze d'Italia', suggesting a gradual and peaceful method for reforms and a new federation that would include Lombardo-Veneto and be led by the King of Sardinia, avoiding conflict with Austria.

What was the 'Manifesto del Partito Liberale Moderato' and what did it aim to achieve?

The 'Manifesto del Partito Liberale Moderato' was a collaborative document expressing the will to end conspiracies and aiming for national unity under the guidance of Carlo Alberto of Savoy, the King of Sardinia, as a guarantee of order.