When revolution in France broke out, it was an example set for the rest of Europe. French revolutionaries were eager for a republic, and when Louis Philippe abdicated, they got one; however it was not a stable or united body.
Like France, the majority of the Austrian Empire was still ruled by monarchy and the Metternich System that was “preserving medieval feudal privileges over peasantry”. Hungarian rebel, Louis Kossuth saw the French Revolution as an opportunity to voice his opinion. Kossuth and his followers demanded that Magyar should be the language of the Hungarian Diet. They wanted an end to serfdom and the privileges that nobilities were given. The Habsburgs agreed to the Magyar language – which set a precedent for others in Europe.
Under the Metternich System, all signs of German liberalism were eliminated but the monarchy was strengthened. Prior to the 1848 revolutions, Germany was suppressed from any sort of democratic principles. The German Federation was made up of 35 sovereign monarchs plus four independent free cities. There were barely any relations between states. And the economic growth and development was hindered because of strict border and custom laws. A factor which contrasted Germany’s reaction from the rest of Europe was national unity. The Germans were feeling a lack of individual rights and there was the constant feeling of not being part of one nation. Germans were very fixated on national pride. However, with the 39 states present, one cannot help but feel “disparity between sharing one cultural heritage”.
The German Revolution, like many of the other European revolutions was led by students and professional/middle class workers. The leaders of this revolution knew what they were doing and how they wanted to do it. However, in Germany, they also had a great force of peasants and the working-class supporting their revolts. The social status was deteriorating, causing discontentment of the lower classes. It is without a doubt that the lower classes were influenced by the revolutionary movements of the middle classes. Despite this, they had little understanding of foreign ideas and the domination of their state government by the princes and conservative aristocracy. The peasants did not fully understand the motives behind the revolution, as they just wanted peace, land and bread. These were seen as important for survival. Although the middle-class liberals used the large numbers of peasants to aid themselves, like liberals elsewhere, they did not consider what the lower classes wanted as important. Reforms for universal suffrage and an economical improvement in peasant life were not considered. The middle-class leaders were satisfied with using them to obtain political concessions from the princes. This factor differentiated Germany from the other European countries. In the other countries, although political factors were important, the reforms for improved peasant life were just as important.
Unlike France and Austria, Germany had a national assembly following the revolution to try and work things out. The Frankfurt Assembly followed King William’s declaration of “henceforth Prussia is merged in Germany”. It was a civil attempt at determining the revolutionized government of Germany where leaders sat down together and tried to sort things out. When Austria and Prussia refused to accept the Assembly’s arrangements, it ruled out chances of the Assembly’s success. The rejection of the crown by William because he would not rule “as a serf of the revolution” marked the end of the Frankfurt Assembly. If he had accepted the crown, it might have caused a war between countries.
Bibliography:
Richards, Denis. 1977. An Illustrated History of Modern Europe 1789 – 1984. Seventh Edition. Longman Group Ltd.
The German Revolution of 1848, compiled by PLC 2003
Wolfson, Cowie. Years of Nationalism.
2002
Richards, Denis. History of Modern Europe Page 109
The German Revolution of 1848 Compiled by PLC Page 1
