Glossary
Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings in 1814-1815 where European powers aimed to restore stability and the old monarchical order after Napoleon's defeat.
Example:
The Congress of Vienna sought to suppress revolutionary ideas and maintain a balance of power, directly challenging the liberal and nationalist aspirations that emerged later.
General Discontent
Widespread dissatisfaction among the populace, often stemming from economic hardship, social inequality, or political repression.
Example:
Poor harvests leading to soaring food prices and high unemployment fueled the general discontent that ignited many of the 1848 uprisings.
Liberalism
A political ideology emphasizing individual rights, constitutional government, free markets, and limited government intervention.
Example:
Advocates for increased voting rights for all men, regardless of property ownership, were expressing a key tenet of 19th-century liberalism.
Nationalism
A strong sense of identity and unity felt by people who share a common language, culture, or history, often leading to a desire for political independence or unification.
Example:
The desire for a unified German state, rather than a collection of independent principalities, was a powerful force of nationalism in the 19th century.
Revolutions of 1848
A series of widespread political upheavals and social unrest that swept across Europe, driven by liberal, nationalist, and social grievances.
Example:
The February Revolution in France, which overthrew the monarchy and established the Second Republic, was a pivotal event within the broader Revolutions of 1848.