Revision 1848 Revolutions
The Social and Intellectual forces behind the revolutions
The Burschenshaft
Student societies had developed after the defeat of Napoleon. After 1815 thousands of young middle
and upper-class Germans join societies campaigning for a united Germany. An example of this would
be the 1817 Warburg festival however, fewer than 500 attended this festival. These students helped to
increase the desire for German nationalism, aiming for a united Germany. In 1832 25,000 nationalists
met at the Hambach festival.
Nationalist Philosophers
German nationalism was also growing through the ideas of the philosophy of Johann Herder. He
believed that all people and cultures had their unique spirit which made them different. These cultures
should be cherished and developed as the basis for a national identity. Other writers like Goethe
believed there was no need for a nation-state instead Germany should be a cultural community similar
to ancient Greece. Even still others like George Hegel claimed a man only achieved his full potential
by being in service to the state. By the early 19th century most German nationalists wanted an
independent German state with fixed geographical boundaries and its government. However, there
was no religious unity and no clearly defined frontiers. Nationalist feelings were growing in Germany
due to the 1840 crisis where it seemed like France would invade the German states.
The growth of liberalism
Liberals wanted constitutional reform and to replace absolute government with a parliamentary
system. They were less concerned with the sovereignty of the people and more with the sovereignty of
parliament. They wanted concessions such as freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of
worship, and the freedom to form political associations. Liberals made inroads in the 1830s after the
July revolution in Paris sparked demonstrations and riots in several S-German states, who demanded
constitutions as laid out by the Federal Act of 1815. This was successful in several states as Saxony
and Hesse Cassel obtained more liberal constitutions, and in Bavaria Baden and Wurttemberg liberal
opposition parties gained parliamentary seats and greater freedom of the press. Liberal sentiment
developed further in the 1840s, and Bavaria had liberal ministers as well as liberal reforms in Baden.
The 1847 Hippenhelm meeting was a gathering of liberal representatives of southwestern states. They
demanded an elected national diet and proposed the liberation of the press, jury trials, the end to
feudal restrictions, and the creation of a National Guard.
In the immediate build-up to 1848 itself, the economic problems faced by the current regime shook
their confidence. The growing number of educated middle class were critical of systems which largely
excluded them from participation in the political process (Power remained with the land owners and
nobility). Many wanted the establishment of some sort of parliamentary system and the guarantee of
basic rights, as well as the establishment of a united Germany which they claimed would ensure
prosperity.
Developments in Prussia
Frederick William the 4th was crowned King of Prussia in 1840 and was generally considered more
liberal than his predecessor. But at the start of his reign, he released many political prisoners,
abolished censorship, and extended the powers of provincial diets. As a result, German newspapers
grew more bold and political opinion picked up. Popular journals played a crucial role in arousing
interest in issues such as Schleswig-Holstein in 1846.
, Socialism and Communism
It is debatable whether clash consciousness was developing among industrial workers. However
Marxist thinking was beginning to grow in popularity. Marx believed that as industrialization
developed the proletariat inevitably opposed the bourgeoisie. Marxist historians argue that the 1848
Willow revolutions were caused by the effect of industrialization on the working class. However, it
was not just the workers who played a role in the German revolutions.
Economic factors as a cause of the revolutions
Customs Union and Zollverein (1815-48)
The Zollverein and the Prussian Customs Union helped reduce large internal tariffs between the
German states that restricted trade. It created a common system of tariffs and abolished internal
customs barriers. Currency was unified, and there were weights and measures in the silver ion states.
Better roads and railways were also spelt which greatly extended means of communication. As the
Zollverein helped increase unity through trade, it became a focal point for nationalist sentiment. And
helped cement Prussia’s position as a potential leader in a future united Germany.
Railway development also helped play a role, and they helped make Germans more mobile and
contributed to the breakdown of local and regional barriers.
Increasing Population
Between 1750 and 1850 the population of ‘Germany’ doubled due to improved quality of life and
standard of living thanks to the better economy in ‘ Germany’, this led to a lower death rate hence the
population boom. This put pressure on resources and jobs. 250,000 people left Germany in the 1840s
to the USA due to hardship.
Problems in the Countryside
The peasants in the countryside were in control and belonged to the junkers who owned the land.
Even if you were a tenant farmer, the rent was raised and it was highly difficult to make a living.
Problems in towns
People were leaving for the towns and it was creating a problem with insufficient jobs and housing
and no healthcare at all. Workers were bending over in awkward positions and were subject to 13-
hour days. People lived in rooms with 20 people and often 6 to a bed. Industrialization saw artisans
not being able to compete with the cheap and quick factory processes. This led to the majority of
revolutions being urban due to the worse conditions as they were poorly clothed and fed. In the towns,
discontent could lead to revolutions yet generally, the peasants still liked the traditional elites (for
example the king) to resolve their disputes with the Junkers.
Economic Crisis (1846-47)
Between 1846 and 1847, corn harvests were disastrous - exacerbated by potato blight - in industrial
towns there was a 50 per cent rise in cereal prices (1847). In Berlin, the ‘potato revolution’ occurred.
Across Germany, rising food prices led to a reduction in consumer spending in other areas. Employers
responded by laying off workers and there was a massive increase in unemployment particularly
among the textile industry and artisan workers.
Generally, there was growing unrest due to economic causes. Peasants and workers alike were
dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs, and most of their demands were concerned with practical
matters such as higher wages, better housing, and a shorter working day. Not politics and political
theories. However, some skilled workers in towns such as Cologne and Bonn had trade organisations.
