Why did Giuseppe Mazzini support the Milan workers’ uprising of 1853?

Giuseppe Mazzini supported the Milanese workers' uprising of 1853 as part of his ongoing commitment to revolutionary activity aimed at achieving Italian independence and unity.1

Following the collapse of the Roman Republic in 1849, Mazzini remained dedicated to the belief that persistent revolutionary pressure was necessary to keep the cause of Italian liberation at the forefront of European politics. By backing insurrections, he sought to challenge the status quo and force the issue of national unity, even when such attempts were unsuccessful.12

While his revolutionary methods were often criticized by the moderate party in Piedmont—who favored orderly progress under the leadership of figures like Count Cavour—Mazzini maintained that these plots were essential to prevent the Italian struggle from fading into obscurity. Ultimately, his support for the 1853 rising was consistent with his broader philosophy that "thought is only of value when it results in action," reflecting his lifelong effort to mobilize the Italian people against foreign, specifically Austrian, rule.12