Causes of 1848 Revolutions

Question 1

Growth of Liberalism: What did Charles Albert do in Piedmont that implied them as potential figureheads for unification?

Answer 1

Charles Albert joined Pius IX’s customs union and supported Pius IX’s reforms of the legal system

Question 2

Growth of Liberalism: What document was created in Piedmont that implied them as potential figureheads for unification?

Answer 2

“The Statuto” in 1847

Question 3

Growth of Liberalism: What did ‘the Statuto’ introduce?

Answer 3

Civil rights for reformists and revolutionaries to stand on: freedom of thought and ideas in the Piedmontese constitution.

Question 4

Growth of Liberalism: What Group was active and allowed in Piedmont?

Answer 4

Carbonari

Question 5

Reforms of Pius IX: When was Pius IX elected?

Answer 5

1846

Question 6

Reforms of Pius IX: What was one of the Pope’s first actions after being elected?

Answer 6

Release of political prisoners

Question 7

Reforms of Pius IX: What reaction did the masses have to the Pope’s first act?

Answer 7

Chanted “O Sommo Pio” - “Oh, supreme Pius”

Question 8

Reforms of Pius IX: Where did the Pope’s eyes turn next after praise from the people?

Answer 8

Questioned the states justice systems, recruited a council of lay advisers and entered customs union with Piedmont and Tuscany.

Question 9

Unpopularity of the Austrians: What was the economic reason for hatred of Austria?

Answer 9

High taxes in states with direct Austrian rule e.g. Lombardy

Question 10

Unpopularity of the Austrians: What tensions appeared in the Papal States?

Answer 10

Austrian Troops entered Ferrara (permitted by 1815 Treaty of Vienna)

Question 11

Unpopularity of the Austrians: What did the Pope do defying Austrian involvemenet?

Answer 11

Refused them entering the Papal states and simultaneously asked God to Bless “Italia”.

Question 12

Unpopularity of the Austrians: What did Pius’s denial of Austria cause

Answer 12

A catholic country to be in conflict with the central Catholic church - came to head when in April 1848 the Republic of Venice was created after Austrian garrison was forced out of Milan.

Question 13

Socio-Economic Discontent: What was causing unemployment in higher classes?

Answer 13

Over-production caused lay-offs as 90% of the population worked the land - too much produce, too little demand

Question 14

Socio-Economic Discontent: What happened in 1846 and 47?

Answer 14

Nationwide Maize and Wheat shortages due to Europe-wide harvest failures.

Question 15

Socio-Economic Discontent: What did the Europe-wide harvest failures lead to?

Answer 15

Increased food prices, unemployment, overcrowding in industrial cities as people searched for jobs.

Question 16

Socio-Economic Discontent: What event caused mass death?

Answer 16

1836 Cholera outbreak causing 65,000 deaths in Naples.