Revolutions in France, Austria and Prussia
There were several
outcomes of the Revolutions of 1848-1849. Some major changes occurred in
France, Austria, and Prussia; however, remnants of the revolutions could be
seen throughout the silhouette of Europe. In this essay, I will discuss some of
the major issues that led to the revolutions as well as the major outcomes of
the revolutions for France, Austria, and Prussia.
What happened in
1845-1847 was not an isolated event but part of a broader range of economic
difficulties, occurring over a fifteen-year period, running from the early
1840’s through the second half of the following decade. [1] In the years of 1845-1847 especially, major
issues began to occur that would result in a widespread call for revolution. A
run of very poor harvests, a recession type economy, financial unpreparedness
and unrest, unemployment, debt and credit issues, political imbalance, among
other problems were the start of a continent wide panic.[2]
During these years, there was an underlying process of transition in place
working behind the scenes of each nation. Unaware of the prospect of future decades
of economic expansion, [those who were starving, cold, unemployed, and heavily
in debt] were ready to take violent and drastic action to improve their
condition.[3]
Starting in January
1848, uprisings began to explode all over Europe. In France, banquets gave way
to street demonstrations; clashes between demonstrators and soldiers followed
that day and the next.[4]
Crowds invaded and disrupted the session of parliament and King Louis-Philippe
was forced to flee the country.[5]
Mass meetings, followed by street demonstrations demanding a change in regime
led to serious clashes between crowds and the authorities, beginning in Munich
on 4 March 1848, continuing in Vienna on the thirteenth, Budapest on the
fifteenth, Venice and Cracow on the seventeenth, and Milan and Berlin on the
eighteenth.[6]
Regimes and empires all over Europe began to replace conservative members of
government with liberals or react with force and repression to subdue writhing
nations.
France, Austria, and
Prussia were each led by a particular personality. France was led by King Louis
Philippe. While he was a milder king than some, his policies began to grow more
conservative with his reign. Austria was led by Clemens von Metternich. . Metternich wanted to ‘restore order’…and
brushed off the suggestion that the best way to avoid revolution was by making
concessions.[7] Instead
he resorted to more drastic measures to retain control over his empire.
Censorship and police harassment were never as stringent as the liberals
claimed, [however] they were still exasperating.[8]
The political police were neither numerous nor efficient, but their very
existence – and the fact that they were not above using intimidation against
people suspected of harboring ‘dangerous’ ideas – made them despised.[9]
Clerical influence in education was taken as a sign that the monarchy was
trying to bolster its power with the moral authority of Catholicism. [10]
Overall Metternich kept control over his empire with less than desirable
methods. His actions resulted in direct uprisings. Prussia was led by Frederick
William IV. Firstly he tried to quell the revolution with military force and
when that failed he decided to get on board with political changes. While he
seemed to be working for the better of the country, he soon returned to a
conservative regime once the threat of revolt seemed distant. He was committed
to unification but his dream was never realized. Each of these leaders had
their own way of dealing with the revolution that was at hand, and each one of
them played their part in creating that necessary revolution.
While a true radical
revolution never really occurred, each event that took place during this time
left a lasting impression on Europe. Most importantly, while most constitutions
and other legal documents did not survive the quell of the revolution, many
monarchies retained some form of parliamentary government as a result of
actions taken during that time.[11]
Prussia remained a constitutional monarchy which had a direct impact on the
future of Italy and Germany.[12]
In France, universal male suffrage was reintroduced in 1848 and this time, bar
the brief interlude in 1850-1851, it was here to stay.[13]
Another important result was the abolition of serfdom and seigneurialism in
central Europe.[14]
During these years of “near” revolutions, many people had their first tastes of
politics. The events that took place during this time allowed people hands on
opportunities to get involved with their countries and their futures. This is
probably one of the most important results of the revolutions because it was a
sentiment that has lasted throughout history: people have a say. Political
clubs and workers’ organizations also flourished for a short time.[15]
In Germany, 1848 is taken as the traditional birth-date of the German labor
movement.[16]
The revolutions did not do much for women’s rights; however, they planted a
seed for them. Some politician’s eyes were opened during this time. A Hessian
democrat declared that depriving women of the right to vote was unfair.[17]
Many women’s clubs were created during this time. A women’s club in Prague was
so successful, one of their meetings resulted in a delegation being sent to
Vienna to secure the release of some prisoners as well as resulting in the
creation of a Czech school for girls. Overall, the revolution left imprints of
constitutionalism, nationalism, and other social questions behind to be further
recognized in the future. It also showed liberals, nationalists, and radicals
how to change their tactics and ideas for further progression of their aims.[18]
European politics in the second half of the century were concerned with the
shadows and legacies of 1848.[19]
The Revolutions of
1848-1849 stemmed from a large amount of problems within the heart of Europe at
the time. While the revolutions were never fully realized, they still produced
a legacy for the continent, especially for France, Austria, and Prussia.
Bibliography
Rapport, Michael.
Nineteenth-Century Europe. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005.
Sperber, Jonathan. The European
Revolutions, 1848-1851. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007.
[1] Jonathan Sperber, The
European Revolutions, 1848-1851, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007) 109.
[2] Ibid, 109.
[3] Ibid, 109.
[4] Ibid, 116.
[5]
Ibid, 116.
[6] Ibid, 117.
[7] Michael Rapport,
Nineteenth-Century Europe (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005) 114.
[8] Ibid, 127.
[9] Ibid, 127.
[10] Ibid, 127.
[11] Ibid, 156.
[12] Ibid, 156.
[13] Ibid, 156.
[14] Ibid, 156.
[15] Ibid, 157.
[16] Ibid, 157.
[17] Ibid, 157.
[18] Ibid, 158.
[19] Ibid, 158.
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