French Revolution of 1848 Study Notes

The French experienced two revolutions following the original revolution of 1789, specifically in 1830 and 1848.
This lecture focuses on the Revolution of 1848, exploring its causes and consequences.

The July monarchy, ruled by King Louis Philippe from 1830 to 1848, began to collapse in the early 1840s due to various factors.
Premier Francois Guizot was in office until he was replaced by Adolphe Tiers as the revolution escalated.
Initial changes included the establishment of a republican provisional government, which experimented with socialist ideas, notably those proposed by Louis Blanc regarding national workhouses.

Discontent with the July Monarchy
- King Louis Philippe's reign showed minimal difference from the previous ultra-royalist rule of Charles X (1824-1830).
- Charles X aimed to restore absolute monarchy and the privileged position of the Catholic Church.
- Disillusionment grew among Republicans as hopes for political change under Louis Philippe faded.
Political and Economic Crises
- Agricultural depression persisted throughout the 1840s, worsening conditions for the populace.
- Unemployment and food prices increased, leading to greater dissatisfaction, particularly among the worker and artisan classes.
Movement of Banquets
- Republicans used banquets as a cover for political gatherings due to restrictions on open political discourse.
- These gatherings highlighted demands for universal suffrage and parliamentary reforms.
- A significant banquet was planned for February 22, 1848, but was banned by Guizot the day before.

On February 22, 1848, despite Guizot's ban, Parisians gathered at the planned location, leading to clashes with the municipal guard.
Following violent encounters that resulted in casualties, including the deaths of 52 people, King Louis Philippe abdicated on February 24 after losing support of the National Guard.
His abdication led to the declaration of the Second Republic by his grandson.

The provisional government was formed, comprising liberals, Republicans, and some socialists, with Louis Blanc's public works policies appearing early on.
Key features of the new government included:
- Adoption of a new constitution promoting universal male suffrage.
- Abolition of slavery and establishment of freedom of the press.
- Introduction of the National Workshops on February 28, 1848, aimed at providing jobs and enforcing the right to work.

Originally intended to support 12,000 workers, the workshops saw unprecedented enrollment with 120,000 applicants by June.
The provisional government faced financial strain due to the workshops, leading to restrictive policies aimed at managing the excessive demand for labor.
By the end of May 1848, the government halted new enrollments and on June 22, ended the workshops entirely, prompting the June Days Rebellion.

The uprising was marked by barricades and protests against the government's decision to terminate the National Workshops.
Military and government forces brutally suppressed the uprising, resulting in around 3,000 deaths and 12,000 arrests.
Those arrested faced harsh penalties including labor camp sentences in Algeria.

The presidential election featured candidates including:
- Moderate Republican Lamar Tom
- General Caban Yak, who had just quelled the uprisings
- Socialist candidate Ledru Rolland
- Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, who ultimately won in a landslide victory.
His election consolidated various political factions within France, drawing support from both conservatives and socialists.

Post-election, Louis Napoleon moved to centralize power, including regaining control of schools for Catholics and repressing workers' associations.
Seeking to draw up a new constitution gave rise to accusations of a coup d'état that ultimately led to the declaration of the Second Empire under Napoleon III.
The reestablishment of the empire was supported by a significant majority (95%) in a vote that effectively ended the Second Republic just three years after its formation.

The 1848 revolution highlighted:
- The pivotal role of the middle class in advocating for political rights.
- Increased differentiation in political affiliations and social classes, with more radical leftist movements emerging from worker dissatisfaction.
- The events inspired subsequent revolutions across Europe in nations such as Austria-Hungary and states within the German Confederation.

Although the 1848 Revolution in France did not carry the same weight as the revolution of 1789, it laid the groundwork for future revolutionary movements and shifts in political alignments.