The Age of Revolutions (1830-1848) and the Unification of Germany and Italy

The Age of Revolutions (1830-1848) and the Unification of Germany and Italy - Notes

Liberalism and nationalism became associated with the revolution in many regions of Europe such as the Italian and German states, the provinces of the Ottoman Empire, Ireland, and Poland.

The first upheaval took place in France in July 1830. The Bourbon kings who had been restored to power during the conservative reaction after 1815, were now overthrown by liberal revolutionaries.

The Greek War of Independence was another event that mobilized nationalist feelings among the educated elite in Europe.

Culture played an important role in creating the idea of the nation. Art, poetry, stories, and music helped express and shape nationalist feelings.

Romanticism was a cultural movement that sought to develop a particular form of nationalist sentiments.

Language too played an important role in developing nationalist sentiments.

The 1830s saw a rise in prices, bad harvest, and poverty in Europe. Besides the poor, unemployed and starving peasants and even educated middle classes revolted.

In 1848, a large number of political associations came together in Frankfurt and decided to vote for an all-German National Assembly.

The issue of extending political rights to women became a controversial one.

Conservative forces were able to suppress liberal movements in 1848, but could not restore the old order.

After 1848, nationalism in Europe moved away from its association with democracy and revolution.

Terms

Romanticism: A cultural movement that rejected science and reason and introduced heart and emotions. The concern of the romantics was to create a sense of shared collective heritage and a common cultural past for arousing nationalism.

Revolutionaries: Upholders of the idea of liberalism and against the conservative regimes of the 19th century.

Feminism: Awareness of women’s rights and interests based on political, economic, and social equality of genders.

Frankfurt Parliament: A large number of political associations comprising of professionals, businessmen, and prosperous artisans came together in the city of Frankfurt and decided to vote for an all-German National Assembly. On 18th May 1848, 831 elected representatives marched in a festive procession to take their places in the Frankfurt Parliament convened at St. Paul’s Church. They drafted a constitution for the German nation to be headed by a monarchy subject to a parliament.

Nationalistic Feelings (1830): The sense of recognizing the society and nation as “we” and the sharing of many traits by its members. Culture with art and poetry, stories, and music played a major role in the shaping and expression of nationalistic feelings and notions.

Personalities

Louise Otto-Peters: He was a German suffragist and feminist who wrote novels, poetry, essays, and libretto.

Carl Welcker: Carl Welcker, a member of the Frankfurt Parliament, had tremendous resentment against equal rights for women, and he ridiculed their demands as being against nature.

Dates

1830: The first upheaval took place in France in July 1830.

1830: Period of Economic Crisis in Europe.

1848: Germans voted for National Assembly in Frankfurt.

 

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