Carbonari

The Carbonari ("charcoal burners") were groups of secret revolutionary societies founded in early 19th-century Italy. The Italian Carbonari may have further influenced other revolutionary groups in Spain, France, Portugal and possibly Russia. Although their goals often had a patriotic and liberal focus, they lacked a clear political agenda. They were a focus for those unhappy with the political situation in Italy following 1815, especially in the south of the Italian Peninsula. Members of the Carbonari, and those influenced by them took part in important events in the process of Italian unification (often referred to as the Risorgimento), especially the Revolution of 1820, and in the further development of Italian nationalism.