CAUSES OF 1848 REVOLUTIONS

Growth of Liberalism

Piedmont, which had begin to economically prosper, had a more modern and liberal government compared to other states at the time - early driving force for unification
Cautious ruler, but joined Pius IX’s custom union and supported reforms of the legal system
Demonstrations in Piedmont, Turin and Genoa demanding a constitution
Charles Albert presented such a document - “Statuo” in 1847. Finally gave radicals and reformers of Italy civil rights to stand on, spur on unification.
More liberal constitutions aim for Carbonari and Alfereti - more confidence to challenge authority

Unpopularity of Austrians

Areas under direct rule - ie Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia - resented taxation, where 1/3 of Austria’s tax revenues came from.
Tensions began 1847, when Austrian troops occupied the Papal town of Ferrara - Pope lodge a formal protest with the Austrian government
January 1848 Pius denied the Austrians right to cross the Papal States, asked the lord to bless “Italia”

Reforms of Pius IX

Pius elected for his moderate stance, a compromise between conservatives and revolutionary reformers - his reforms inspired the masses, crowds in Rome canting “O sommo Pio”
Maybe because of this positive reaction, Pius made a step towards unified Italy by questioning the justice system, recruiting a council of lay advisers and entering a customs union with Piedmont and Tuscany: free trade among members create national consciousness
Inspired other states to change, ie no more press censorship in Piedmont

Social discontent and economic problems

Hunger and poverty served as the central spark of revolution. 90% of population worked on land, most subsistence farming. Inefficient and vulnerable to foreign competition
Peasants lost long-held productions: leading to more riots and protests across the country. Europe wide harvest failures in 1846/47 caused maize and wheat shortages - higher prices which led to more riots in towns. Naples life expectancy 24 in 1840s
Outbreak of cholera in Sicily 1836 resulted in 65,000 deaths