The New International Encyclopædia/Young Italy

YOUNG ITALY. A society organized by Mazzini (q.v.) in 1831 for the purpose of effecting the liberation of the Italian peninsula from Austrian domination and its union under a republican form of government. As distinguished from the Carbonari (q.v.), the new society sought to attain its aims by a campaign of agitation and open insurrection rather than by conspiracy. It first became openly active in the beginning of 1834, when occurred the abortive invasion of Savoy by Mazzini. Before this, however, the Sardinian Government had obtained full cognizance of the movement through its spies and had entered upon a course of severe repression, a number of the leaders being put to death and others being subjected to imprisonment and exile. The impracticable character of Mazzini made it evident that a successful revolution was impossible, and the society rapidly declined in influence, its place being taken by the more conservative national movement of which the Sardinian monarch was coming to assume the leadership. The society, nevertheless, did great good in quickening the spirit of Italian patriotism, and to a very large extent made the work of Victor Emmanuel and Cavour possible. It was the model for a number of revolutionary societies throughout Europe in the stormy period preceding the upheaval of 1848. See Young Europe; Italy.