Reasons for the 1848 Revolutions

European History

Environmental Reasons

Political Reasons

Social Reasons

Lead-up to the 1848 Revolutions

Economic Reasons

Cultural Reasons

Social Reasons

• Discrimination against other nationals across Europe, such as British discrimination towards the Irish
• Working class opposes wishes of the bourgeoisie (class that controls the means of production)
• Opposition to harsh working conditions, slavery and indentured servitude.

Economic Reasons

• Potato famine caused an increase in food prices due to lower supply of food. Most affected are urban masses and the poor
• Laws in Europe beneffitted landowners and factory workers
• Bourgeoisie sought to maintain power and profits.

Environmental Issues

• Great European Famine leads to the decrease in food availability across Europe. Millions end up starving.
• Bad crop harvests and blight lead to massive movements of people from the country to the cities
• Urban cities plagued with disease due to unsanitary conditions

Political Reasons

• Disenfranchisment of the people: most of a nation's citizens could not vote
• Only taxpayers and landowners allowed to vote
• Monarchs at the time wanted to remain in control
• Legislative bodies were not representative of the people, and focused on their own special interests.

Cultural Reasons

• Discrimination against Catholics in Great Britain
• Transition from artisan work to factory work
• Spread of ideas of revolution and workers' rights in the aftermath of the French Revolution
• Liberal and Radical segments of society seeking more rights from Conservative and Reactionary elements of society.