Revolutions of 1848

The revolutions of 1848, like those of 1830, were a series of European revolts against repressive regimes. At first it appeared that the ideals of 1789 and 1830 had at last been achieved, as democratic advances--representative assemblies and constitutions--were achieved in France, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Prussia. But liberals and socialists throughout the continent were soon disillusioned by the result. In France, for example, the provisional government seemed determined to be responsive to the needs of all classes, including the workers. But when a national assembly was elected, middle-class interests started to take over. The working classes rose up again in June; this time they were put down by force. The Second Republic that emerged from this turmoil was short-lived, and the elected president, Louis Napoleon, within a few years was emperor Napoleon III. His Second Empire lasted from 1852 to 1870. Nevertheless universal suffrage had been introduced in France, and it was not revoked; Prussia retained its new constitution of 1850, which provided for an elective assembly; and parallel reforms had been achieved in Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sardinia, and Austria.

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