Reforms and Revolutions up through 1848

1. Reforms and Revolutions up through 1848

2. Greek Independence • The Greeks had been under Ottoman (Turkey) control since the 15th c. • The Greeks had maintained their own cultural identity (language, religion, etc.) • Nationalism rose and a revolution broke out in 1821. • Metternich was against all revolutions, but, many Europeans supported Greek independence. • 1827- the Ottomans were pressured to grant independence to Greece by France, G.B. and Russia; Ottomans declined and the navies were called out. • The Ottomans eventually granted independence in 1830; in 1832 a German prince was placed as king of Greece.

3. Reform in Britain • 18th c. Britain was not very democratic, despite having a constitutional monarchy • 8% of men could vote; king ruled Parliament • By the 1870’s, reform was necessary, but the land-owners (aristocrats) were fearful due to the French Rev. example • Tory Party: aristocratic political party that resisted all liberal change • Corn Laws: Tory law that prohibited the importing of cheap grain unless prices at home were outrageous • These laws benefitted the land-owning aristocrats because they could charge whatever price they wanted for their grain • High unemployment and these high grain prices angered many and led to riots • Tories made protesting illegal • Issued the “Six Acts” limiting freedoms of the press: more rioting • Battle of Peterloo

4. Wealthy industrialists soon demanded more political power and liberal reforms • Whig Party (political party) helped to push through liberal reforms in Parliament in 1832 • Reform Bill of 1832: • Gave House of Commons more power • They were the decision makers and voted on by the people (as opposed to the House of Lords who had a hereditary position) • Eliminated voting fraud in various districts; pushed for more voters • People’s Charter, 1838 • Pushed for universal male voting (rejected by Parliament) • Corn Laws repealed in 1846: free grain imports • Tories later tried to appeal to the working class through laws like the 10 Hours Act and regulating working conditions • Realized it was better to appeal to the largest group in Britain: the working class

5. Ireland and the Potato Famine • Ireland was controlled by G.B. • Irish peasants worked the land that was owned by the Church of England or British land-owners • Irish peasants were extremely poor • The potato, as well as other factors like early marriage, helped Ireland grow in population • The potato was a hardy crop and less land was necessary to grow enough for a family + the landowner • The Irish lived off the potato alone • Estimates claim 10 lbs. a day!

6. British landowners only leased the land for a brief period of time • No incentive to take care of the land; i.e. irrigation, new farming techniques, etc. • A crop disease impacted the potato crop from 1845-46 and again in 1848-51 • Dependency on the crop was so great that it led to starvation, human disease, lost land/homes • British gov’t did very little (laissez faire attitude) • Famine created huge population losses; ½ died or left Ireland • Anti-British and Irish nationalism grew • This would later promote Irish Independence

7. French Revolution of 1830 • It’s not over…Louis XVIII who was king after Napoleon’s first and second exiles, made a small attempt at promoting democracy and social reforms • Issued the Constitutional Charter, 1814 • Created a 2 house Parliament (Chamber of Deputies being the group who could be voted for) • He also kept many social and economic gains of the revolution • Despite all of this, France was not a democracy • Only 100,000 of the 30 million pop. could vote

8. After Louis’ death, his brother Charles X becomes king of France • He was an absolutist and wanted to reestablish the Old Regime • The Chamber of Deputies opposed him • Charles tried to use war and expansion to build nationalism and support • He believed that if he could win a war, he would be able to manipulate the citizens enough that they failed to realize they were losing their rights • After victory in Algeria, he repealed the Constitutional Charter, took away voting rights, censored the press • Led to huge riots in Paris and the gov’t fell in 3 days; Charles fled

9. After Charles fled, a cousin, Louis Philippe came to the throne • Pledged to rule for the people, but still the notable elites were the only citizens with power in the country • No real change had occurred under Louis Philippe • Now 170,000 could vote for the Deputies • An increase of 70,000 voters, but still a significant number less than the population total

10. Louis XVIII

11. Charles X

12. Louis Philippe

13. Revolutions in 1848 • The 1840s were difficult throughout Europe • Famine and economic hardships led to riots • Political change was certain • Culminated in 1848 throughout Europe

14. France in 1848 • Louis Philippe’s monarchy was growing more and more unpopular • Citizens wanted the republic back- we will call this France’s Second Republic • Reforms include: • Slavery & capital punishment abolished, work-day shortened (10 hrs), universal male suffrage (voting rights) • There was a push by some to form social programs to help support the poor by providing jobs (workshops) • The push towards socialism was concerning to many conservatives; others were desperate for social change • Frustrations led to a mini-revolution that lasted 3 days (called “June Days”, 10,000 dead) • New constitution formed…allowed for a strong central monarch

15. Guess Who’s Back?... • Well sort of….Louis-Napoleon! • Nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte will be elected in December 1848 • Later named Napoleon III

16. Austrian Empire in 1848 • Remember that Metternich is from Austria • Revolts in France spread throughout the Europe • In Austria, liberals wanted representative government, etc. • Hapsburg Emperor Ferdinand I gave in to reforms • Problems in Austria • They still practiced serfdom, ethnically diverse, students revolt in Vienna • Nephew Francis Joseph will come to the throne in late 1848 and will regain authority. • Put down the Hungarian rebellion with the help of Russia

17. Prussia in 1848 • Prussia was the most powerful German kingdom • Inspired by France, the city of Berlin erupted in violence in the name of liberalism. • Prussian King Frederick William IV caved in • There had been discussion over the years of merging the German kingdom into an actual German state • Steps were taken to form a constitutional monarchy • Unification will fail due to disagreements