Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Giuseppe Mazzini played a pioneering role in the movement for Italian unification:

1. Early Revolutionary Activity: Born in Genoa in 1805, Mazzini joined the secret society of the Carbonari. At 24, he was exiled in 1831 for attempting a revolution in Liguria.

1. Founding Secret Societies: He founded Young Italy in Marseilles and Young Europe in Berne, uniting like-minded young men from Poland, France, Italy and the German states to spread nationalist ideas.

1. Vision for Italy: Mazzini believed God had intended nations as natural units of mankind. He argued Italy must be unified into a single democratic republic, as unification alone could be the basis of Italian liberty.

1. Wider Influence: Inspired by his model, secret societies were established in Germany, France, Switzerland and Poland.

1. Impact on Conservatives: His relentless opposition to monarchy frightened conservatives — Metternich called him "the most dangerous enemy of our social order."

Source: Nationalism in Europe, Chapter 1, Section 2.4

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• The examiner expects 5 distinct points for a 5-mark answer — one point per mark is the safe strategy.
• Always name his organisations (Young Italy, Young Europe) and the key quote by Metternich — these are high-value factual details examiners look for.
• Note: Mazzini laid the ideological/organisational foundation, but actual unification was completed later by Cavour and Garibaldi. Don't claim he completed unification.
• Avoid padding — keep each point tight and factual.