German unification had also been viewed as a prerequisite for the creation of a European federation, which Giuseppe Mazzini and other European patriots had been promoting for more than three decades: In the spring of 1834, while at Berne, Mazzini and a dozen refugees from Italy, Poland and Germany founded a new association with the grandiose name of Young Europe.
Penyatuan Jerman juga dianggap sebagai pendahulu pendirian federasi Eropa, yang didukung oleh Giuseppe Mazzini dan patriot Eropa lainnya selama tiga dasawarsa: Pada musim semi tahun 1834, saat berada di Berne, Mazzini dan selusin pengungsi dari Italia, Polandia, dan Jerman mendirikan asosiasi baru dengan nama besar Eropa Muda.