Giuseppe Mazzini was an Italian nationalist and a key figure in the unification of Italy. He is often referred to as the "soul" of Italian unification. Mazzini was a founder of the movement known as Young Italy, which aimed to establish a democratic republic and unite the various Italian states into one nation. His ideals of liberty and unity inspired many Italians to fight for a united Italy. His contributions were crucial in the early stages of the Italian unification, alongside figures like Cavour and Garibaldi, though the unification was ultimately achieved through a combination of military action and diplomatic efforts.