The Break Out of the Revolution in Germany in 1848

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The Break Out of the Revolution in Germany in 1848

There were a numerous external and internal factors behind the 1848

revolutions in Germany. Externally, changes in the international

climate and political upheaval in Austria provided German nationalists

with an avenue of opportunity to cease power. Internally, the growth

of German nationalism and liberalism coupled with the acute financial

and food crisis of 1847 created an atmosphere fit for revolutionary

activity.

Between 1815 and 1847, the Great powers reduced the importance of

nationalism and liberalism in order to maintain the ideals set about

at the Treaty of Vienna of peace, order and stability within the

balance of power. The Great powers installed Austria as the

‘reactionary henchman’ of Europe. Austria could no exercise its right

to eradicate revolutionary activity and it was aided by its ideal

geo-political position. However in February 1848 a successful

revolution in France triggered off violent disorder elsewhere in

Europe. These revolutions in France were previous thought to have

triggered a series of ‘copy cat’ revolutions over Europe, however

historians now believe hey were the result of the conditions of many

of the European countries were very similar. This most prominent of

the revolutions saw Austrian Emperor Metternich toppled and forced to

flee Vienna, causing a temporary power vacuum. This allowed German

nationalist to seize control as no longer could German leaders rely on

Austrian muscle to uphold their regimes. In essence the changes in the

international climate and the chaos within the Austrian empire played

an important role in the outbreak of revolu...

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nutshell, the food and financial distress in the major cities, which

continued over the winter of 1847-48 ‘ helped foment revolution,

encouraging subversive propaganda, undermining the credit of states,

and unifying the discontented creating a temporary alliance between

the middle and working classes which heralded in the revolutionary

year of 1848.

In conclusion it is clear from the evidence, that there were a number

of external and internal factors behind the 1848 revolutions in

Germany. Externally, changes in the international climate and

political upheaval in Austria provided German nationalists with an

avenue of opportunity to cease power. Internally, the growth of German

nationalism and liberalism coupled with the acute financial and food

crisis of 1847 created an atmosphere fit for revolutionary activity.

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