During the years following the Congress of Vienna (1815) why did the liberal -nationalists go underground ? Why the secret societies were formed ? Describe their aims and activities with special reference to the activities of Mazzini.
(1) After the Congress of Vienna (1815) the liberal-nationalists went underground due to fear of repression by the autocratic rulers. (2) The aim of the secret societies that were formed in many European states was to train revolutionaries and spread their ideas i.e., to oppose monarchial forms that had been established after the Congress of Vienna and to fight for liberty and freedom. They wanted creation of nation-states which were considered necessary as a part of freedom for struggle. (3) Mazzini and activities of secret societies : Mazzini was the Italian revolutionary. He was a member of the secret society of the Carbonari. Later on, he founded two societies – Young Italy in Marseilles and Young Europe in Berne. Aim of Mazzini was to have a unified republic in Italy as the basis of liberty. He believed that the nations were the natural units of mankind. Secret societies were formed in Germany, France, Switzerland and Poland. As a result of the secret societies, the conservatives were frightened. Metternich described Mazzini as ‘the most dangerous enemy of our social order’.
