What were the Revolutions of 1848?

The Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe. This was the most widespread revolutionary wave in European history, but reactionary forces regained control, and the revolutions collapsed within a year.

The revolutions were essentially democratic in nature, with the aim of removing the old feudal structures and creating independent national states. The revolutionary wave began in France in February, and spread to most of Europe and parts of Latin America. Over 50 countries were affected, but with no coordination or cooperation between their respective revolutionaries. Six factors were involved: widespread dissatisfaction with political leadership; demands for more democracy; demands for freedom of press; the demands of the working classes; the upsurge of nationalism; and finally, the regrouping of reactionary forces among the aristocracy, the army, the clergy, and the peasants.