1848 Revolutions In German Speaking Europe

H.J. Hahn assesses the revolutions from a broad, interdisciplinary angle, relating these crucial events in nineteenth century European history to philosophy, literature, politics and socio-economic developments, and makes apparent their significant impact on the shaping of modern Germany. In 1848 the continent of Europe was rocked by revolutions - only Great Britain and Russia of the European Great Powers kept their heads and their thrones. Louis Philippe was toppled in France, and governments went down, constitutions were accepted, and alien regimes ousted all over Italy.Most spectacularly, the Revolutions swept across the German-speaking lands of central Europe, with the newly-released forces of nationalism and mass popualr protest smashing the reactionary regimes that had held sway since the defeat of Napolean. The 1948-49 Revolutions of German-speaking Europe traces the revolutions from their origins in Switzerland and France to Baden and their spread across German-speaking lands. The author examines ideological positions as well as socio-economic developments and makes apparent the extent to which the events of 1848/49 helped shape Germany's political culture and national awareness, and had a significant impact on the shaping of modern Germany.Invaluable for historians and students of German Studies, this book assesses the revolutions from a broad, interdisciplinary angle, relating this crucial event in nineteenth century European history to philosophy, literature, politics and socio-economics. Hans-Joachim Hahn is Professor and Head of the German Department at Oxford Brookes University. In 1848 the continent of Europe was rocked by revolutions: only Great Britain and Russia remained relatively immune to the upheaval. Most spectacularly, the Revolutions swept across the German-speaking lands of central Europe, with the newly-released forces of nationalism and mass popular protest smashing the reactionary Metternich regimes which had held sway since the defeat of Napoleon. The Metternich system was dead: nationalism and national self-determination asserted themselves as the dominant dynamic forces of continental Europe in the later nineteenth century. This impressive history examines the political and social implications of the 1848 Revolutions for the future destiny and shape of Europe as a whole, and explores the wider forces at play in the German lands of nineteenth-century Europe.