Jason SodhiMr. PfeifferAP European History31 January 2018The Revolutions of 1848The revolutions of 1848 had many pros and cons that affected many countries in Europe. Although short lasted, the Hungarians kicked the Austrians out, Germany failed to unite, and the French created a republic that fell a few years later. Many of the revolutions were disastrous but led the beginning of a successful change. People took matters into their own hands and fought for what they believed to reform their country.
The revolution in Hungary was a war for independence from the Austrian Empire. The Austrian Empire was ruled by the Habsburg Dynasty and suffered many defeats from the Hungarians in 1849. Although the Hungarians tried everything they could, Austria struck them back down. The new emperor Franz Joseph called Russia for help. Czar Nicholas accepted Joseph’s request and sent 200, 000 men with 80, 000 auxiliary forces which defeated the Hungarian forces. In the end, the Habsburg’s regained power and Hungary was placed under martial law.
Hungarians then in 1849 finally gained independence after World War 1. The revolution in Germany failed to unify the German speaking states into a single nation due to the weaknesses of the revolutions itself. German states lost many opportunities and overall lacked leadership and support. Luckily for them, Germany was eventually unified in 1871 at the Palace of Versailles. The revolution in France led to the creation of the French Second Republic. After the overthrow of Louis Philippe, the elected government ruled France. This government chose a path which was to become more conservative.
But on June 23rd 1848, the people of Paris rose to the occasion. This was known as the June Days Uprising, an unsuccessful rebellion by the workers in Paris. After the June Days Uprising, Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was elected President of the Second Republic. Three years later he suspended the elected assembly which led to the establishment of the Second French Empire which lasted until 1870. France, Germany, Hungary, and Austria suffered many defeats and victories.
Defeats lasted short term as in the long run, these countries would soon achieve their goal of independence, unification and the beginning of a successful change.
