European Revolutions of 1848

1. European Revolutions of 1848 By: Tekla and Casey H

3. Early Risings of 1848 • After the Napoleonic wars the European powers came together to try and establish balance by re-imposing the sovereign powers of monarchies and empires. • After 1820 there were instances of “constitutional-liberal” political upheaval on varying scales in places such as Spain, the Italian peninsula, Russia, and France. Many people weren’t happy with the monarchy. • Restrictions became so intense that by the time 1843 came around, only certain people were allowed to vote in Britain and France. These people were mainly the wealthy. In places such as Prussia and Russia were absolute monarchies.

4. Early Risings of 1848 • In January 1848, 61 people were killed in Milan protesting a rise in taxes by their Austrian rulers. • In the same month in Palermo, Sicily, people rioted against the rule of Ferdinand II, king of Naples-Sicily. • The European Revolutions of 1843 were essentially populist human aspirations sought constitutional, liberal, nationalistic, and/or socialist changes in society.

5. Rebellion in Germany • The Paris uprisings spread among German countries, which mimicked the Paris revolts. They marched to abolish serfdom, there were demands for a constitutional government, a people’s army, trial by jury, freedom of assembly, and freedom of worship and equitable taxation. • Much of Germany pushed for unification instead of separate German states ruled by dukes and monarchies.

6. Rebellion in Vienna • 10, 000 workers had been let off. • Students and factory workers joined forces due to each favouring democracy and civil liberties. • On March 12, 1848, a crowd of demonstrators was fired upon and this released a popular rising. • The municipal guard was on the side of the rebellion • At this time, Austria was ruled largely by a State Council (consisted of Metternich and 4 others). This council was what the rebellion opposed. After the workers and students stormed through the imperial palace, Metternich went into exile in England. • King Ferdinand accommodated the rebels by promising a constitution, and later he abolished the serfdom and promised many more reforms. • Liberalism and reform remained, but the economy was damaged.

7. Rebellion in France • In February, people demonstrated in Paris. At this time the Government had made political meetings illegal due to fear of radicals. Later, the demonstrators and the soldiers became violent. King Louis-Philippe vacated France in favour of his 9-year-old grandson. • France’s Second Republic was formed after Louis-Philippe fled to exile.

8. Rebellion in Italy and Switzerland • A civil war in Switzerland was caused by the difference of language and religion. The predominantly Catholic Switzerland were opposed to political unification. Others in Switzerland were interested in national unity and more democracy. • After hearing about Vienna, the Austrian-ruled Italian cities, Venice and Milan, rebelled. This resulted in Venice declaring independence. • The Polish nations protested the rule from Berlin.

9. Norway

10. How is this relevant to A Doll’s House? • The European Revolution affects A Doll’s House by providing a charge or fever in order for Henrik Ibsen to write with a new modern perspective that challenges romantic tradition.

11. Bibliography • http://www.macrohistory.com/h3/h36-48.html • http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/history/1848/revolution_of_1848.html • http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/181144/Revolutions-of-1848 • http://www.gradesaver.com/a-dolls-house/study-guide/about/