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Revolutions of 1848

Definition

The Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout Europe in 1848. They were driven by popular discontent with political corruption and economic hardship, leading to demands for more democratic governance.

Analogy

Think about when everyone at school gets fed up with unfair rules or bad cafeteria food and stages a walkout or protest. That’s similar to what happened across Europe during the Revolutions of 1848 - people had enough and demanded change!

Related terms

Liberalism: A political philosophy advocating civil liberties under the rule of law with an emphasis on economic freedom; this ideology played a significant role in sparking these revolutions.

Nationalism: A political ideology that emphasizes loyalty, devotion or allegiance to a nation or nation-state; nationalism fueled many revolts during this time as people sought independence or unification.

Socialism: A political and economic theory advocating for the means of production, distribution, and exchange to be owned or regulated by the community as a whole; this ideology also gained traction during these revolutions.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.