Austrian Revolution 1848 Flashcards
How was the Austrian Empire governed in 1848?
Ruled by Emperor Ferdinand, who had total control over all the states
What were the main ethnic groups in the Austrian Empire and where were they from?
Germans in Austria itself, Magyars in Hungary, Czechs in Bohemia, variety of Slavs everywhere else
Capital?
Vienna
Voting and taxes?
Nobles didn’t have to pay taxes, and were the only ones who could vote
Who was Metternich?
Chancellor of Austria. Wanted equality and aimed to create a parliament with representatives from different ethnic groups
Describe Metternich’s significance in the Austrian Revolution.
Imposed censorship, sparking unrest in the revolutionaries. His resignation gave them the upper hand and resulted in the storming of the fortress and signing of the March Laws.
What contributed to the unrest among the people in 1848?
- rise of nationalism in ethnic groups
- economy suffered due to expense of maintaining borders
- people heard of the changes in France and began calling for changes of their own
- unrest in working class over money, taxes, and religion
Who was Louis Kossuth?
Hungarian nationalist, leader of a radical Magyar group
Describe Louis Kossuth’s significance in the Austrian Revolution.
Upon hearing of Louis Phillipe’s expulsion, he gave speeches calling for Hungarian independence. They were published in Vienna and sparked the revolution.
What caused the uprising in Vienna?
Kossuth’s speeches calling for Hungarian independence.
What happened after Metternich fled?
- Revolutionaries felt they had the upper hand
- stormed a fortress and released political prisoners
- riots broke out
- demanded a new government with Kossuth as minister of finance
Why did the Emperor sign the March Laws?
Felt pressured due to riots and support of Czechs and Italian states under Austrian Control
What did the March Laws do?
- ended serfdom
- reduced emperor’s power over Hungary, although they’d still officially be part of the empire
- nobles had to pay taxes
- freedom of press
- transylvania became part of hungary
- Hungarian ministries of defense and finance were created
What happened after the March Laws were signed?
- other states rebelled
- non-magyar groups in Hungary feared Magyar dominance
- emperor tried to enlist minorities to overthrow Hungarian government, didn’t work
- failed slavic uprising
The revolution was losing momentum. What happened next?
Emperor ordered Hungarian government to resign, but they refused
What did Croatia do on behalf of the emperor?
Tried to attack and overthrow new Hungarian government. Defeated by Kossuth’s army.
Why did the minorities in Hungary ask the emperor for help?
Kossuth tried to replace Hungarian with Magyar as the official language, even though most didn’t speak it. Minorities felt that the Magyars were becoming too dominant in the government and they didn’t have a say.
What did the emperor do to help the minorities and why was it slowed down?
Tried to send troops from Vienna, stopped by violence between troops and supporters of the revolution
Austrian and Croatian armies together soon brought Vienna under control and punished insurgents. What happened next?
Ferdinand was persuaded to abdicated. The new ruler declared the March Laws illegitimate and invaded Hungary. The revolution had failed.
Why did the revolution in Hungary fail?
no well developed middle class —-> no support for revolution, especially in Vienna. many lower class didn’t understand Kossuth’s vision and help prevent the revolutions success.
