Revolutions of 1848
Definition
The Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe in 1848. They were driven by popular discontent with political corruption and economic hardship, leading to demands for more democratic governance.
Analogy
Think about when everyone at school gets fed up with unfair rules or bad cafeteria food and stages a walkout or protest. That’s similar to what happened across Europe during the Revolutions of 1848 - people had enough and demanded change!
Related terms
Liberalism: A political philosophy advocating civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on economic freedom; this ideology played a significant role in sparking these revolutions.
Nationalism: A political ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion or allegiance to a nation or nation-state; nationalism fueled many revolts during this time as people sought independence or unification.
Socialism: A political and economic theory advocating for the means of production, distribution, and exchange to be owned or regulated by the community as a whole; this ideology also gained traction during these revolutions.
"Revolutions of 1848" appears in:
Study guides (3)
Practice Questions (3)
- Which of the following European countries experienced the most significant social and political upheaval during the Revolutions of 1848?
- What was the leading cause of the revolutions of 1848 in Europe?
- How does Europe's rigid reaction towards increasing African nationalist movements post WWI mirror their stance during the Revolutions of 1848?
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