The Struggle for Unity and Liberty 1810 1815 1820 1825 1830 1835 1840 1845 1850 1855 1860

The End of the 1848 Revolution ment of a constitu- tional monarchy with The Reaction in Austria and universal and By the summer of 1848, pressure on the Austrian government came well-secured civil rights from many sides. National groups wanted to determine themselves and would have been quite 15 demanded independence from Austria. German revolutionaries in satisfactory to us. Austria expected to take part in politics in future. But the reaction, the The emperor took control again with his army. In June 1848 Aus- threatened rise of trian troops put down a Czech revolt in Prague, and in July in Italy. The which we were observ- imperial army marched back into in October 1848, driving out ing, gradually made 20 the city government of democratic and socialist workers, artisans and many of us believe that students within five days. General Windischgrätz, who commanded the there was no safety for troops, showed no mercy. , a member of the Par- popular liberty except liament from who had helped fight on the barricades in Vien- in a republic. From this na, was shot by a firing squad. Austrian and Russian troops put down belief there was only 25 the movement for independence in in June 1849. one step to the further M 1 Execution of Robert Blum In Prussia, too, conservatives got back the upper hand. The king conclusion that in a Picture, 1849 ordered his troops to return to Berlin in September 1848 and appointed republic, and only in a a conservative minister-president. In November the king dissolved M 3 “Another Dance of Death”, woodcut by Alfred Rethel, 1849 republic, all evils of the the Prussian national assembly and ended all hopes for a democratic social body could be 30 . Instead he presented his own constitution “from above” M 4 “Solution of all the political problems” cured and the solution of all the political problems – the constitution was written without consulting any representatives be possible.” (1829–1906), a 48er who emigrated to of the people. Frederick William IV now directly opposed the Carl Schurz, The Reminiscences of Carl Schurz, New York 1913, the United States and became a political leader Vol.1, pp. 133–137. revolution. When members of the Frankfurt travelled to there, explained why he became more radical Berlin to offer him their crown on 3 April 1849, he refused. during the Revolution of 1848: M 5 Positive aspects of the failed Revolution The Legacy of the Revolution “Our democratic club was composed in almost The historian William Carr wrote in 1991: Austrian members left the when it decided to equal parts of students and citizens, among whom offer the crown to the Prussian king. When he refused, the remaining there were many of excellent character, of some “Before 1848 only a small section of the German members realized that they could no longer reach an agreement with fortune and good standing, and of moderate middle class was politically and nationally the German rulers about the people taking part in politics and 5 views, while a few others had worked themselves conscious […]. national unity. So most of the Parliament's members gave up and into a state of mind resembling that of the Without the ground swell of public opinion returned home. Only about 100 men in the democratic and republican terrorists in the French Revolution. Kinkel [a favourable to unification which the Revolution 5 groups met again in as a “rump parliament”, but the Würt- professor of law in Bonn] was the recognized had created, the achievements of Bismarck in the temberg military put an end to that as well. In a group of leader of the club, and I soon became a member 1860s would hardly have been possible.” dissidents held out longer than in other places because first, the troops 10 of the executive committee. At first the establish- W. Carr, A , 1815–1990, London 1991, p. 57. there took sides with the rebels and second, the fortress in was easy to defend. When the fortress finally fell, 51 leaders of the rebellion composed: made up well-secured: guaranteed conclusion: decision were executed, 845 revolutionaries were put in jail. Many fled or fortune: success executive: leading resembling: similar to threatened: dangerous emigrated to the United States. Others committed suicide – for example, Bassermann in Baden. The hopes of liberal citizens from March 1848 were completely disappointed in 1849. For years, political opposition in Germany came to a halt. However, although the revolutionaries of 1848 failed to Tasks M 2 Refusal achieve their goals, the revolution did have long-term effects. Feudal The President of the Frankfurt rights were abolished, the liberation of the peasants could not be 1. Give reasons for the failure of the Revolution of b) Agree or disagree with Rethel‘s point of view Parliament von Gagern with Ger- turned back. The Frankfurt Parliament’s constitution had been written 1848 in Germany. and explain your reasons. mania. She asks, “Why are you down. Even though the German monarchs refused to accept its ideas 2. Explain how the monarchs regained control over 5. Assess Carl Schurz‘s reasoning for becoming a crying, little boy?” He replies, “I‘ve at the time, the document became a model for the constitution of the their countries in 1848. republican. carved a crown for your little ‘un, first German republic in 1919. Also, national unity remained a topic of 3. Analyze the caricature of von Gagern. 6. Evaluate the long-term results of the Revolution but ‘e doesn‘t want it!” public debate after 1849 and could not be ignored. 4. a) Analyze Rethel‘s “Another Dance of Death”. of 1848 in Germany.

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