Booklet 1, Big Question 3: Why did the 1830-32 Revolutions fail?

Question 1

Where had there been attempts at revolution in 1820? What had crushed the attempts?

Answer 1

• Naples, Sicily and Piedmont

- The revolutions were crushed by a combination of Austrian strength and revolutionary weakness

Question 2

What led to Charles X’s abdication?

Answer 2

A revolution in France, 1830`

Question 3

Who replaced Charles X?

Answer 3

Louis-Philippe - he was more liberal and Italian revolutionaries hoped he would support liberal revolutions in Italy

Question 4

Who led the revolutions in Modena and Parma?

Answer 4

Enrico Misley

Question 5

What happened in Modena?

Answer 5

Ruler Duke Francis IV left to travel to Austria to ask for help for further revolts following the arrest of Misley, which led the revolutionaries to take over politically in his absense and form a provisional government

Question 6

What happened in Parma?

Answer 6

• Encouraged by students in Modena, the students of Parma started to riot and demanded a constitution from Ruler Duchess Marie-Louise. She fled and a provisional government was established
• Contact was made with Modena, and a joint army commander was appointed

Question 7

What happened within a month of the revolutionary takeovers in Modena and Parma?

Answer 7

Duke Francis IV returned from Austria with an Austrian army and defeated the revolutionaries in Modena - the rebels were imprisoned, exiled or executed. The same followed in Parma, and Duchess Louise-Marie returned

Question 8

What happened in the Papal States?

Answer 8

• Revolts occurred which were organised by professional classes who hated the rule of the church - the revolt was against the church rather than for uniting Italy
• A provisional government was established in Bologna, 1831, called “the Government of the Italian Provinces”. It promised an elected assembly, a reformed finance system and a fairer legal system
• Those in the Papal States refused to send help to Modena

Question 9

What happened after the revolutionary takeover of the Papal States?

Answer 9

The Austrian army moved in, defeated the rebels, and violently suppressed any further (minor) uprisings that broke out

Question 10

Main reasons why the revolutions failed

Answer 10

1. The revolutions were local affairs, not national ones
2. There was no organisation between the states
3. The revolutions were too reliant on secret societies, e.g. the Carbonari
4. The revolutionaries were quite moderate and didn’t use violence
5. Popular support wasn’t encouraged and the revolts were mainly carried out by the middle class
6. Those carrying out the revolts had divided aims
7. Austria didn’t want any constitutions granted and had military strength
8. France weren’t interested in helping