lecture-history 3/14/25

Frederick William IV of Prussia

• Profile of Frederick William IV:

  • Presented as a liberal leader influenced by Romanticism.

  • Interest in art and Prussian reforms.

  • Faced uprisings amid aspirations for a national German identity.

• Rebellion in Berlin:

  • In 1848, cloth workers revolted in Berlin, Prussia's capital.

  • Frederick William IV responds by calling the army to suppress the revolt harshly, despite his liberal reputation.

  • Reflective of typical governmental reactions during this period—focused on maintaining order rather than addressing citizens' demands.

The German Confederation

• Structure:

  • Comprised of various German states with loose affiliations; no strong central authority.

  • Each member state was mostly autonomous, leading to weak cooperation.

• Frankfurt Assembly:

  • Aimed to discuss the unification of German-speaking regions, inviting representatives from across Germany, excluding Austria.

  • Participants had diverse interests, leading to a lack of agreement on governance.

  • Frederick William IV was approached to accept the crown, but he declined due to the assembly's lack of authority.

Revolutionary Context

• Background:

  • Other revolutions across Europe caused anxiety about revolutionary means for unification.

  • Leaders endorsed unification but with caution, mindful of French revolutionary outcomes.

• Role of the Prussian Army:

  • The assembly's discussions ended when Frederick William IV sent soldiers to disperse it, indicating a refusal to consider compromise and illustrating his desire to maintain the status quo.

Austrian Empire Dynamics

• Nationalism Challenges:

  • The Austrian Empire was a patchwork of ethnic groups with significant nationalist movements, including Hungarians, Czechs, and Slavs.

  • The idea of Pan-Slavism emerged, advocating for a unified Slavic nation to counteract larger powers, notably Russia.

• Metternich's Influence:

  • Klemens von Metternich, a conservative diplomat, dominated Austrian policy against revolutionary movements.

  • The liberal aspirations of various groups conflicted with Metternich's conservative government.

Revolt in Vienna (1848)

• Public Uprisings:

  • Inspired by revolutions in Paris, Viennese citizens revolted against the government with barricades.

  • The uprising resulted in Metternich's resignation and a shift in governance, reflecting growing public dissent.

Franz Joseph I's Rule

• Transition to Nephew:

  • Following Metternich's exit, Ferdinand I resigned under public pressure, passing authority to Franz Joseph.

  • Franz Joseph appeared more decisive and willing to manage revolts effectively using military force.

• Demands from the Public:

  • The population sought male suffrage, the establishment of a representative government, and the abolition of serfdom—demands seen as overdue in a rapidly changing world.

  • The government feared granting these requests would further encourage nationalism and threaten the integrity of the Empire.

Austro-Hungarian Revolt

• Hungarian Declaration of Independence:

  • In 1849, Hungarians revolted but briefly achieved independence.

  • This moment of independence was short-lived as Austria sought help from Russia to suppress the rebellion.

  • Franz Joseph leveraged military strength effectively against internal dissenters.

Italian Nationalism Movement

• Background:

  • Various Italian regions sought unification during revolts in 1848, notably in northern areas under Austrian control.

  • Prominent figures like Giuseppe Mazzini emerged to promote republican ideals in the Papal States and other regions.

• Involvement of France:

  • France's Emperor Napoleon III intervened militarily in favor of the Pope, effectively countering the republican initiatives led by Mazzini.

  • This intervention reinforced conservative elements within the Papal States.

Conclusion

• Legacy of Revolutions:

  • The ununified nationalist aspirations across Germany and Italy in the 1848 revolutions showcased the complexity of political landscapes during this time.

  • Both German and Italian national movements highlighted the tensions between different ethno-national identities and governance.

  • The notion of Risorgimento for Italy and the ongoing fragmentation in Germany remained significant in shaping the future political atmospheres.