History Extra podcast Why revolution engulfed 19th-century Europe
May 9, 2023
Christopher Clark, a historian and author of Revolutionary Spring, dives into the revolutionary wave that swept 19th-century Europe in 1848. He explores the roots of the uprisings, linking urban poverty and social distress to political mobilization. Clark discusses how accidental triggers ignited protests and the role of shared grievances in aiding rapid, simultaneous revolts. He also touches on the complexities within the movements, such as the struggle between liberals and radicals, and clarifies the enduring impacts these revolutions had on nation-building and political culture.
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A European, Not Just National, Upheaval
- Revolutions of 1848 erupted across Europe from Palermo to Paris, then cascaded into Vienna, Berlin, and beyond.
- Christopher Clark frames these uprisings as a continent-wide phenomenon rather than isolated national events.
Pauperisation Fueled Social Panic
- Contemporary observers feared systemic pauperisation as artisans and workers could no longer earn a living despite long hours.
- This widespread impoverishment generated social panic that underpinned political unrest.
Social Reporting Shaped Public Outrage
- A new literature of the 'social question' used statistics and eyewitness reportage to expose harsh urban living conditions.
- Fictional works like Eugène Sue's novels amplified these descriptions and shaped public sentiment.