The turning point at which history failed to turn - George
Macaulay Trevelyan, 1937 The Revolutions of 1848
Slide 2
Upheaval of 1848 Considered the watershed political event of
the 19th century. Hegelian Dialectic History advances through
conflict In historical terms, a way of life or thinking (Thesis) is
thrown into question or no longer accepted. Its contradictory views
(Antithesis) will eventually force conflict and the outcome will be
the Synthesis
Slide 3
1848 revolutions influenced by: 1. Romanticism, nationalism,
liberalism and socialism 2. Repressive government decisions ex.
Carlsbad Decrees (Prussia 1819) 3. Economic dislocation and
instability Population growth Fear over food supply with increasing
population (Malthus) Struggling artisan class increasing
unemployment Urbanization and abominable living conditions
Agricultural crisis i.e. potato famine (Ireland), rising wheat
prices up to 60% increase in some countries Investment crisis as
coal and railway industries stagnate more unemployment This created
solidarity amongst urban and agricultural peasants as well as the
artisan and middle classes. Only Britain and Russia avoided
significant upheaval. Neither liberals or conservatives could gain
permanent upper hand. Resulted in end of serfdom in Austria and
Germany, universal male suffrage in France, parliaments established
in German states (although controlled by princes &
aristocrats), stimulated unification impulse in Prussia and
Sardinia- Piedmont.
Slide 4
France 1848: The February Revolution Working class and liberals
unhappy with King Louis Philippe, esp. his minister Francois Guizot
(who opposed electoral reform). King dismisses Guizot, but riots
break out. King forced to abdicate on Feb. 24. Francois Guizot
Slide 5
The Provisional Government Second French Republic declared by
Chamber of deputies. Moderate Republicans led by liberal Alphonse
Lamartine (allied w/ bourgeoisie) Socialists led by Louis Blanc
National Workshops were created by Blanc to provide work for the
unemployed Reforms: abolished slavery in the empire, 10 hr workday
in Paris, abolished death penalty. April elections for new
Constituent Assembly resulted in conflict between moderate
republicans (who won) and socialists
Slide 6
The June Days Revolt Workers attempted to create a
revolutionary republic after Blanc was dropped from assembly.
Results in June Days Revolution Cause: govt closed national
workshops Marked beginning of class warfare in France Workers
sought war against poverty and redistribution of income. Barricades
put up in streets to oppose govt forces
Slide 7
France 1848 The Second Republic General Louis Cavaignac:
assumed dictatorial powers & crushed revolt (10,000 dead or
injured) Victory for conservatives Nov 1848 constitution provided
for elected president and one-house parliament Election of 1848:
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (1803-1873) defeated Cavaignac 1852: Louis
Napoleon consolidates power and becomes Emperor Napoleon III Louis
Napoleon Bonaparte
Slide 8
Revolution in Austria, 1848 Habsburg empire was vulnerable to
revolutionary challenge Ethnic minorities sought nationalistic
goals: Hungarians, Slavs, Czechs, Italians, Serbs, Croats, and
others. (More non- Germans than Germans lived in the empire)
Austrian govt was reactionary; liberal institutions were non-
existent. Social reliance on serfdom doomed masses of people to a
life w/o hope. February Revolution in France sparked rebellion for
liberal reforms.
Slide 9
Vienna, 1848 March 13 rioting breaks out in Vienna Austrian
empire collapsed; Metternich fled Constituent assembly meets.
Serfdom abolished, revolution withers. Revolutionary govt failed to
govern effectively Ferdinand I abdicates, Habsburgs restored royal
absolutism under Franz Joseph (r. 1848-1916). Franz Joseph
Slide 10
Hungary, 1848 Louis Kossuth (1802-1894) Hungarian (Magyar
nationalist) leader demanded independence. March laws were
introduced, providing for Hungarian independence. Austrians invade,
Hungarian armies pushed back and were within sight of Vienna.
Slavic minorities resisted Magyar invasion and Austrian and Russian
armies forced Hungarian army to withdraw Hungary would have to wait
until 1866 for autonomy Louis Kossuth
Slide 11
Bohemia, 1848 Prague Conference developed notion of
Austroslavism: separate constitution and autonomy within Habsburg
empire. Pan-Slav Congress failed to unite Slavic peoples in the
empire. Austrian military ultimately attacked Prague and occupied
Bohemia and crushed rebellion.
Slide 12
Upheaval in Italy, 1848 Italian nationalists and liberals seek
to end foreign domination of Italy Milan, Lombardy and Venetia seek
to expel Austrian rulers Bourbon rulers in Kingdom of Two Sicily's
and House of Savoy in Sardinia-Piedmont grant liberal
constitutions. Sardinia-Piedmont declared war on Austria it isnt
going to end well. Beginning in May, revolutions suppressed.
Slide 13
Italy, 1848 Giuseppe Mazzini established Roman Republic in 1849
protected by Giuseppe Garibaldi Pope Pius IX forced to flee
Austrian General Radetsky crushes Sardinia-Piedmont; regains
Lombardy and Venetia. French troops take back Papal States. Victor
Emmanuel II takes throne in Sardinia-Piedmont. Giuseppe
Mazzini
Slide 14
Italy, 1848 Causes for failure: Rural people did not support
revolutions, focused mainly on urban middle classes.
Revolutionaries not united, fear of radicals among moderates leads
to collapse. Lack of leadership and administrative experience among
revolutionaries. Giuseppe Garibaldi
Slide 15
The German States, 1848 Revolutions inspired by 1848
revolutions in France Liberals demanded constitutional government
and a union or federation of German states. Frederick William IV
rejected liberal constitution; imposed a conservative one that
guaranteed royal control of govt (lasted until 1918). Frederick
William IV
Slide 16
Frankfurt Parliament Liberal, romantic, & nationalist
leaders called for elections to a constituent assembly, from all
states in the German Bund, for the purpose of unifying the German
states. Sought war with Denmark to annex Schleswig & Holstein;
Prussia declared war on Denmark Presented constitution for a United
German Federation. Selected Prussian King Frederick William IV as
emperor; he declined claiming divine right of kings
Slide 17
Collapse of the Revolution Debate over whether or not to
include Austria and who would rule (Hollenzollerns or Habsburgs?)
Failure of Prussia and Austria to support unification movement
resulted in its collapse Frederick Williams attempt to unify
Germany ended in failure, he dissolved the Parliament and created a
constitution of his own for Prussia. This created a two-house
parliament, but gave the king ultimate authority.
Slide 18
Collapse of the Revolution Prussia attempted to create a North
German Confederation that it would dominate. Austria opposed,
demanding Prussian allegiance to the Bund (that Austria dominated)
Nov. 1850 - Humiliation of Olmutz: Prussia dropped plan to unify
Germany, leaving Austria as dominant German state in the Bund.
Prussia would seek revenge in 1866 (Austro-Prussian War)
Slide 19
1848 Why did they fail? The revolutions failed to pull unified
popular support from working classes. Middle classes led the
revolution, but as it turned more radical, they held back. Where
they were moderately successful, the old guard was left in place.
Nationalism divided more that united. Some gains lasted (abolition
of serfdom, etc.) In the long term, most liberal gains would be
solidified by the end of the century, Germany and Italy would be
unified, and the Austrian Empire would collapse at the end of World
War One.