CONSEQUENCES / SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 1848 REVOLUTIONS ON EUROPE

CONSEQUENCES / SIGNIFICANCE OF THE 1848 REVOLUTIONS ON EUROPE

The 1848 Revolutions had positive and negative impacts on the social, political and economic structures of Europe.

Positive impact

1. Unifications of Italy and Germany

The 1848 revolutions contributed to the final unifications of Italy and Germany by 1871. In the first place, the revolutions led to the downfall of Metternich and collapse of his system that had been obstacles to the unification of both states. Secondly, the failures of the revolutions in Italian and German states exposed the real obstacles and enemies in the unification process of both nations.

Thirdly, these revolutions led to the rise of new men like Victor Emmanuel II, Cavour and Bismarck who corrected the weaknesses of the 1848 revolutionaries and successfully accomplished the unifications of Italy and Germany by 1871.

2. Partial Achievements

I Temporary and partial successes were realized out of the 1848 revolutions. In Italy, Mazzini and Garibaldi succeeded in establishing a Roman Republic under Dr. Manin by 1849. However, Napoleon III sent French troops under General Oudinot who destroyed the republican government and the revolution in Rome. In Hungary, Kossuth succeeded in establishing the Hungarian Republic in March 1849 with himself as the president. However, like the Roman Republic, the Hungarian Republic was demolished by Russian troops who were sent by Tsar Nicholas I. The revolutionaries in the German states succeeded in establishing the Frankfurt assembly of May 1848 that revived parliamentary democracy. This was also achieved temporarily in Hungary where Kossuth established a parliament at Budapest. Nevertheless, the achievement of parliamentary democracy did not radically change European society because class division persisted.

3. Destruction of Feudalism and serfdom

The 1848 revolutions gave a blow to Feudalism and serfdom that had characterized Metternich's rule in Europe. In Austria, Emperor Francis I passed the emancipation act of Sept. 1848 in which peasants were allowed to own and inherit land without compensation to their landlords. Serfdom was also abolished in Hungary. All these increased the productivity of peasants, led to increased output and reduced the problems of famine and starvation in Europe.

4. Effect of the revolutions in Denmark, Holland and Switzerland

The wave of the 1848 revolutions had fundamental effects on Denmark, Holland and Switzerland. In Denmark, the king was influenced by the revolutions in other countries to grant a liberal constitution and parliamentary democracy. This was a strategy that the king used to pre-empt the outbreak of a revolution in Denmark. In Holland, the revolutions influenced the election of the middle class in parliament contrary to the pre- 1848 era where the nobles and clergy dominated the parliament. In Switzerland, the revolutions accelerated the success of the liberals in the Swiss civil war and the promulgation of a new constitution. This was inspired by the success of liberalism in France and Austria during the course of the 1848 revolutions. One can therefore argue that the 1848 revolutions planted seeds of parliamentary democracy and constitutionalism in countries that survived.

5. Rise of New men

The rise to prominence of new men was one of the consequences of the 1848 revolutions in Europe.

The revolutions provided favourable opportunity for the rise of formerly insignificant men of low status to positions of significance. For instance, Stephan Born and Bismarck emerged from the revolution in Prussia, Louis Blanc and Cavainag from France, Schwazenburg from Austria and Victor Emmanuel 11 from Piedmont. These were new and prominent men who played a great role in shaping the destiny of their respective states.

Negative impact

6. Loss of Lives

The revolutions led to massive loss of lives in Europe. It is estimated that 3-5 thousand people were killed in Austria by Windischgratz (after proclaiming martial law). In Hungary, Haynau (who was nicknamed Hyena for butchering people), butchered Bethany (the Prime Minister of the short lived Hungarian republic), 13 Generals and over 1,000 politicians. It is also-estimated that 300 people were butchered in Berlin, 3^0 in Milan and over 500 in Trance. These, significantly reduced the populations of Europe as many people were forced to flee abroad.

7. Destruction of property

Besides, there was wanton destruction of property. In many areas, the revolutionaries recklessly dismantled administrative offices, recreational centers, health centers, educational facilities, bridges, etc. These left a burden of reconstruction in the post revolutionary era, which reduced the phase of economic recovery and development.

8. Displacement and Exile

There was displacement and exile of people and key figures in Europe. In Austria, Metternich was forced by pressure of events to flee to London. The failure of the revolutions in different parts of Europe and the quest of revenge by anti - revolutionary leaders forced prominent revolutionary leaders like Kossuth, Charles Albert, Mazzini and Garibaldi to flee to exile.

9. The Downfall of Metternich and collapse of Metternich system

The 1848 Revolutions led to the downfall of Metternich and the collapse of his system. From 1815 -1848, Metternich was the most dominant political figure in Europe. However, the massive demonstrations against him by the 1848 revolutionaries forced him to resign and flee to London.

Metternich was replaced by Schwarzenburg (as the new chancellor). It should be noted that

Metternich's downfall weakened his system and left it ineffective. Although, Metternich came back from exile in 1851, he was fatigued and died in 1852 as a common man.

10. Downfall of Louis Philippe and Orleans monarchy

In France, the 1848 revolution led to the downfall of Louis Philippe and Orleans monarchy. It forced Louis Philippe to abdicate and flee to exile on 24'^^ Feb. 1848. This ended the era of monarchism in the history of France and opened apolitical vacuum for the rise of Napoleon III and the second French republic.

11. Economic Decline

The 1848 revolutions led to economic decline in Europe. There was a lot of destruction and disorganization, which hindered industrial and agricultural progress. These accelerated the prerevolutionary economic hardship such as poverty, famine, starvation, diseases, unemployment and inflation.

12. Effect of the revolutions on Britain

The 1848 revolutions had some effects on countries that survived. It caused political disturbances in Britain due to spillover effects. Before the revolution, the chartist movement in Britain was unable to achieve much success. But, the news of the success of the revolution in France inspired the chartists to organize a mass demonstration which was foiled by the government counter measures using the army and spy network. Although this demonstration was suppressed, the chartists succeeded in presenting a charter to the government.

13. Influence of socialism

The 1848 revolutions consolidated the influence of socialism in Europe. The socialists had mobilized the workers and peasants to revolt against capitalists and the governments of Europe. However, the revolutions were suppressed and the problems of workers and peasants did not receive immediate attention. It left the workers and peasants 'cursing' capitalism and governments of the day. This strengthened the spread and consolidation of socialism in Europe. It should be emphasized that this set in an ideological struggle between communism visa - a- vis capitalism that was responsible for the cold war in the post world war II era.

14. Success of new order against old order

Lastly, the 1848 revolutions were a triumph for the old order of conservatism against the new order of liberalism and nationalism. Although the revolutions started with much vigour and prospects, by 1850 almost all with the exception of France had failed. The anti revolutionary forces had succeeded in re establishing Austrian control in Vienna, Hungary, Italian and German states. Nevertheless, these revolutions shook the Austrian authorities and forced them to embark on reforms such as constitutional rule and parliamentary democracy.