"The uprisings were led by shaky ad hoc coalitions of reformers,
the middle classes and workers, but it could not hold together for long..."
the middle classes and workers, but it could not hold together for long..."
The Spring of Nations: The Revolutions of 1848
The European revolutions of 1848 didn't produce a great deal of political or structural change. They did however alter European societies and cultural mores dramatically. Revolutions in France, Germany, the Italian states, Hungary, the Kingdom of Poland, and in several other areas were a result of socio political tensions, class unrest, and other factors.
The revolutions spread to over 50 countries. While lacking meaningful political changes, they would inspire Italian unification in 1861 and the freeing of serfs in the Russian Empire the same year. The revolutions also helped to eliminate feudalism in Prussia and the Austrian Empire by 1850. Middle class freedoms gradually expanded over the next 20 years. The Spring of Nations essentially began in France, once again proving that nation's influential role in European affairs.
Key Idea: the 1848 Revolutions were a product of-and a reaction to- the "isms:" Nationalism, Liberalism, Conservatism, Militarism, and so on.
Above: the beginnings of German nationalism
Above: a Russian map showing the revolutionary hotspots.
Below: Danish soldiers return from fighting, 1849
Hungary
France Italy Belgium German states Poland Austrian Empire Kingdom of Denmark |
Origin of the Revolutions; no real political change
no political change but inspires 1861 Italian unification (il Resorgimento)
Receives Western support (as opposed to Polish Rebellion); Communist workers "invade" Belgium but revolt is squashed by Belgian troops. Conservative aristocracy forces liberal revolutionaries into exile; stirrings of German nationalism. The Poles attempt an unsuccessful revolt against occupying Prussian forces. The multi-ethnic empire sees various groups -Croats, Slavs, Romanians, Serbs, and Italians- all trying to form their own countries. Though suppressed, the revolutions lead to Austrian imperial unification with Hungary. (Forms the Austro Hungarian Empire) A new constitution is adopted; liberal yet absolutist monarchy still retains power. |