causes of the 1848 revolutions Flashcards
how did the growth of liberalism cause the 1848 revolution?
The prosperous state of Piedmont-Sardinia, which featured a more modern, Liberal government compared to other Italian states of the time, served as an early driving force for unification in Italy. While the king of Piedmont, Charles Albert, acted as a cautious ruler, he did join Pius IX’s customs union and supported Pius’s reforms of the legal system. Egged in by demonstrations in Piedmont, Turin and Genoa demanding a constitution- this coupled with demands for reform and new constitutions throughout France, Germany, and Austria- Charles Albert presented such a document, called the “Statuto” in 1847. The document, influenced by the American, English, and Belgian constitutions, finally gave the radicals and reformers of Italy civil rights to stand on, which strongly bolstered their drive for unification and a representative government. More liberal constitutions were the aims of groups such as the Carbonari and the Alfereti which suggests that liberals were gaining more confidence the resist the restored rulers and Austrians.
How did the reform of Pius IX cause the 1848 revolution?
Pope Pius IX, elected in 1846, also played a central role leading up to the revolutions of 1848. Although Catholic cardinals elected Pius for his moderate stance- a compromise between the conservatives and the revolutionary reformers- one of the Pope’s first acts was a highly publicised release of political prisoners. This act, although typically practised by former popes, inspired the masses, inciting crowds in Rome to chant “O sommo Pio”- “oh, supreme Pius”. Perhaps encouraged by this reaction, Pius made steps toward a unified Italy by questioning the country’s justice system, recruiting a council of lay advisers, and entering a customs union with Tuscany and Piedmont, which promoted free trade among its members and common tariffs among mon members. These progressive actions from Pius inspired change in other states such as the abolition of press censorship.
How did the unpopularity of the Austrians cause the 1848?
Anti-Austrian feeling was one issue that Nationalists agreed on and promoted. Areas under direct rule, such as the kingdoms of Lombardy-Venetia, resented high taxation from Austria; at the time, roughly one third of the Austrian empire’s taxes revenues came from these two wealthy states. Tensions started in July 1847, when Austrian troops occupied the papal town of Ferrara. (Permitted by the 1815 treaty of Vienna) causing the pope to lodge a formal protest with the Austrian government. This event proved significant, as in January 1848 Pius denied the Austrians the right to cross the papal states, whilst simultaneously asking the lord to bless Italia’. Austria, a catholic country, appeared to be in the conflict with the church. This collection of heated issues finally came to a head in March of 1848, with the declaration of a republic in Venice and skirmishes in Milan forcing out the Austrian garrison.
How did social discontent and economic problems cause the 1848 revolutions?
As is often the case during historic revolutions, the hunger and poverty of the lower classes in 1848 served as the central spark of revolution. Economic issues made the situation more acute. 90% of the population worked the land, mostly tenant subsistence farming. It was inefficient and vulnerable to foreign competition. Meanwhile, the peasants lost long-held communal land to the wealthy, conservative ruling class and industrial workers struggled with lay-offs as a result of over-production. These factors led to still more riots and protests in both rural and industrial areas across the country. Europe wide harvest failures in 1846 and 47 caused maize and wheat shortages, which led to high prices. Increased food prices led to riots in towns. There was almost no industry in the south and pockets in the north. Some cities such as Milan suffered from overcrowding, poor housing, and terrible conditions. Living standards in towns declined after 1810 with life expectancy in Naples being just 24 in the 1840s. the distinct problem of each of Italy’s numerous states fed the desire for revolt in 1848. For instance, many Sicilians had a deep-seated enmity for their rulers in Naples, who they blamed for a disastrous outbreak of Cholera in 1836 that resulted in about 65,000 deaths.
