Young Europe

The Young Europe was a revolutionary movement collection of pre-March period, in the 1834 banded together under the leadership of Giuseppe Mazzini, the individual groupings Young Italy, Young Germany and Young Poland.

Historical background and development

The strictly prohibited by the Congress of Vienna (1815 ) cemented Italian territorial fragmentation led to different political and revolutionary movements emerged who sought national unity and democratic reform. One of the most significant movements of this kind was the Young Italy, founded in 1831 by Giuseppe Mazzini. Because of similar problems in other states associations also emerged there along the lines of Mazzini. These included the New Germany, which was later renamed to Young Germany, Young Poland and the Young France. Influenced by the failure of his coup attempt in Savoy founded Giuseppe Mazzini to join forces of the movement and to achieve their own goals of political unity and democracy throughout Europe on 15 April 1834 in Bern ( Switzerland ), the Young Europe. At the founding meeting was attended by seven Italians, five German and five poles.

Political work and repression

Politically, the boy acted Europe under the motto "Liberty, Equality, humanity " and sought an overcoming of feudalism to. The aim of the group was a " rule of the people" in a democratic Europe. These objectives articulated the interest of many Democrats on the fledgling club, which therefore could enjoy a great popularity. An incident of July 27, 1834 to end the boy's Europe to gain power quickly. On this day unfurled German workers in the Bernese restaurant Steinhölzli the black -red-gold tricolor. A thereupon verbreitendes rumor that one initiated by the Young Europe coup attempt in southern Germany was imminent, the ruling Conservatives brought to threaten Switzerland with diplomatic consequences. From fear of political isolation, the Swiss government tightened the laws and exhibited many of the club boys of Europe members. This withdrawal of the organizational base had a severe weakening of the organization result.

Resurgence

Despite the strong repression Giuseppe Mazzini would not give up his idea of ​​a European revolution. Under his leadership, the scattered members of the Young Europe organized again new in Switzerland and went fraternization agreement a with the newly created organizations Young France, Young and Young Switzerland Spain. Together, the establishment of workers 'associations was funded and operated workers' education.

Decay

The new, larger movement that was led by a Central Committee in Bern, quickly proved to be difficult to control. National specific interests contradicted the idea of ​​revolution of Giuseppe Mazzini, so this was eliminated from the Central Committee by internal tensions still 1835. At the same time, the Austrian foreign minister Metternich intervened in the Swiss government and threatened at times but diplomatic consequences, should not Switzerland proceed against the democratic forces. The Switzerland bowed to pressure and showed nearly all foreign workers. This meant the end of Young Europe.