Carlo Pisacane facts for kids
Carlo Pisacane (born 1818, died 1857) was an Italian hero who fought for Italy's freedom and unity. He was also one of the first Italian thinkers to believe in socialism. Socialism is an idea about how society should be fair for everyone, especially for working people.
Pisacane was a strong believer in "propaganda of the deed". This idea meant that actions, especially brave or revolutionary ones, could teach people and inspire them to join a cause. He thought that doing something big and noticeable was the best way to get people to understand and support a revolution.
Biography
Pisacane was born in Naples, Italy. His family was noble but had become poor. In 1839, he joined the Neapolitan army. However, he soon became interested in the ideas of Giuseppe Mazzini. Mazzini was another important Italian patriot who wanted to unite Italy.
In 1847, Pisacane left Italy. He spent some time in England and France. He even served in the French army in Algeria.
When the Revolutions of 1848 began, Pisacane returned to Italy. He played a part in the short-lived Roman Republic. This was a time when Rome tried to become a republic, free from the Pope's rule. Pisacane helped defend the city during this time.
After the French army captured Rome, Pisacane had to leave Italy again. He went to London and then to Genoa. He earned a living by teaching.
Pisacane believed that the rule of the House of Savoy (a powerful royal family) was not much better than the rule of Austria. Both, he felt, were holding Italy back.
In 1853, another Italian patriot, Mazzini, planned a new uprising. This time, it was aimed at the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies in southern Italy. Pisacane volunteered to lead this dangerous mission.
On June 25, 1857, Pisacane and a few followers, including Giovanni Nicotera, sailed from Genoa. They were on a ship called the Cagliari.
They landed on the island of Ponza. There, they freed hundreds of prisoners. On June 28, they arrived at Sapri in Campania. They tried to reach the Cilento area. However, not many local people joined their cause. The invaders were quickly defeated. Pisacane himself was badly wounded during the fight. He died during this expedition.
Pisacane's Ideas on Action
Carlo Pisacane was a pioneer of the idea called "propaganda of the deed". He believed that actions were more important than just talking or writing. He famously said that "ideas come from deeds, not the other way around."
He thought that people would not become free just by being educated. Instead, they would become educated once they were free. This meant that brave actions were needed to start a revolution. These actions would then teach and inspire the people.
Pisacane argued that using force was sometimes necessary. It wasn't just to get attention for a cause. It was also to teach people and encourage them to join the fight for freedom. His ideas have influenced many revolutionary movements since his time.
Pisacane was also an atheist. This means he did not believe in God.
