1848 revolutions Flashcards
Economic and social problems
- Increasing population meant lower wages and worse working conditions and the price of food went up. This was due to urbanisation. This also caused crime to increase and many workers from 1830 to 1840 went on strike in protest of this.
- People in the countryside were starving due to potato blight, this also meant that food increased in price
- Many workers feared industrialisation as they might of lost their jobs
- Food riots occurred due to the 1846-1847 potato blight, food prices rose industrial production fell, and consequently, unemployment rose.
Political Problems
- Liberals and liberal nationalists (most of the middle class) fought against Germany being divided, wishing for a unified state.
- Many called for a parliamentary system that gave people basic rights, due to many unhappy with the power of many aristocrats, who were excluded from political censorship.
- Traditional elites were against the middle class, of which they feared, but thought they had the authority to beat their majority.
- Attacks on the bourgeoisie were supported from artisans and peasants alike.
- Rural and urban places did not have clear political aims in the revolution, which was at odds with radical, liberal and nationalist ideologies of the middle class.
What was the Frankfurt parliament?
This was setup in March 1848, their decision were published in the Declaration of Heidelberg and promised a commitment for a vorparliament. When the Frankfurt parliament came around, its members could not come to an agreement on a new constitution, so a provisional government was made, little was achieved through this.
What did conservatives think?
The conservatives believed that most Germans wanted peace and quiet, not a constitution. They denounced nationalism, which they saw as a violation of time honoured of sovereign rights and a step towards freedom and democracy leading to terror and rights.
Why did artisans not like industrialisation?
As they feared their livelihoods would become redundant as they wouldn’t be able to match machines in their workshops.
What were the liberal demands?
Greater equality in political representation
50 articles?
Eventually, in december, the fifty articles was created adn became law. It gave German citizens certain fundamental rights like: Equality before the law, freedom of law, freedom of arrest without warrant and an end of discrimination based on social class.
50 articles?
Eventually, in December, the fifty articles was created and became law. It gave German citizens certain fundamental rights like: Equality before the law, freedom of law, freedom of arrest without warrant and an end of discrimination based on social class.
Weakness of the Frankfurt parliament?
- It lacked legitimacy as it was not initiated by the German Federation therefore was
not recognised by places like France and Russia - It lacked important powers like the right to collect taxes or have an army, therefore relied on the Prussian army.
- Lacked popular support in the working class
- President Gagern was unable to control the assembly as its President
Why did the Frankfurt Parliament end?
Because its appointed emperor, Frederick William refused the throne as he thought that the parliament had no right to appoint a leader of the Germanic state, saying he would not “accept a crown from the gutter”. Therefore most Kingdoms rejected the parliament
Why did it fail?
- Many Marxists condemned the assembly for not overthrowing the existing structures
- People argue that it was filled with impractical idealists who wasted 6 months discussing the fundamental rights of people and never filled the power vacuum that had existed.
- Constitutional government could only be achieved on the terms of Austria and Prussia, which was never likely.
- The individual states never accepted the authority of the parliament.
- After the Austrian empire regained control of all territories in 1849, all hope was gone as he despised revolutionary change.
