liberalism and anticlericalism in the nineteenth century

Why was anti-clericalism such an important aspect of liberalism in France and Italy in the second half of the nineteenth century? The mid-nineteenth century was a time of great change throughout Europe. Revolutions and social upheavals meant new ideologies and perspectives coming to the forefront as existing social orders began to crumble under popular pressure. Liberalism was one of these new causes, designed to make a fairer and more benevolent society for all its sectors. …

…culled. The Catholics were always looking back and trying to force the situation into one consistent with church requirements, rather than adopting the church itself to face the requirements of the existing situation. Social improvement left the church outdated and weakened in its wake, and the Liberals hadn't got the historical affiliations or obligations to support such a failing institution, especially one as treacherously power-hungry and ambitious , and thus ultimately dangerous, as the Catholic Church.