Revolutions of 1848 Key Terms

Congress of “bourgeois monarchy”

name given to Louis Philippe’s reign, because policies served the selfish interests of France’s wealthy elites, characterized by inaction and complacency. Also known as July monarchy and Orleans monarchy.

Second Republic

govt that takes over after 1848, democratic republican constitution drafted by revolutionaries. Every adult male could vote, decrees of liberty, fraternity, and equality, workplace reforms, all enslaved people freed in French colonies, abolished death penalty. Between overthrow of Louis Phillipe and Louis Napoleon Bonaparte.

June Days

following the dissolving of workshops in Paris, a violent uprising occurred where barricades appeared and street fighting occurred. Class war, army on side of govt. Three days. Death or injury of around 10,000 insurgents.

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte

French, nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte, won in a landslide victory in 1848 election. Semi-authoritarian regime with some liberal elements.

Ferdinand I

Habsburg emperor of HRE, promised reforms and a liberal constitution after street fighting and peasant disturbances. Had no heir. Abolished serfdom. Abdicated throne.

Francis Joseph

aka Franz Joseph, son of Archduchess Sophia (Bavarian princess married to Ferdinand I’s Brother), when he became emperor the only revolution (in HRE?) to still be crushed was the Hungarians.

Frankfurt Assembly

meeting between German states in May 1848 to try and Unify Germany, didn’t have authority to do so, questioned weather or not to include Austria. First freely elected parliament in Germany, called for a constitutional monarchy, free speech, religious tolerance, and abolition of aristocratic privilege.

Greater Germany

A liberal plan for German national unification that included the German-Speaking parts of the Austrian Empire, put forth at the National Assembly in 1848 but rejected by Austrian rulers.

Lesser Germany

plan to unify Prussia and other German states, did not include Austria

Giuseppe Mazzini

Radical and idealistic patriot who led the Italian unification movement in the streets of Rome, called for a centralized democratic republic based on universal male suffrage and will of the people.