Booklet 1, Big Question 2: Why were the secret societies so weak before 1848? Flashcards
1
Q
Where are they thought to have developed from?
A
From 18th century freemasonry where men formed secret groups with passwords and rituals
2
Q
After 1815, what did secret societies aim to do?
A
They aimed to overthrow the restored monarchs and drive out the Austrians
3
Q
What kinds of people were in secret societies?
A
Army officers, students, lawyers, teachers and doctors - all well educated and middle class
4
Q
What were the members of secret societies like?
A
- Most members were patriotic and daring idealists, dreamers, rogues or even criminals
- They were anti-Austrian and against the repression of the re-established papal rule
5
Q
Who were the Carbonari?
A
- Best known and active mainly in the South
- 60,000 members in Naples, which was about 5% of the adult male population
- Spread to Piedmont and the Papal States
- Swore allegiance to their leaders
- They were not anti-Catholic or committed Republicans
- They were fighting to gain constitutions and more rights from the monarchs
6
Q
Who were the Federati?
A
- Mainly in the North
- Federati led by Milanese Nobleman Federico Confalonieri
- Favoured constitutional government
- Its programme was more moderate than the Carbonari’s, though no less anti-Austrian
- It renamed itself ‘The Society of the Sublime Perfect Masters’ in 1818
7
Q
Who were the Aldelfi?
A
- Mainly in the North
- Headed by Filippo Buonarotti
- Anti-Austrian
8
Q
Weaknesses of secret societies?
A
Unprepared to work together and lacked organisation, small and scattered groups, in the Papal States(?)
