Importance, impact and results of the February Revolution.
Importance, impact and results of the February Revolution.
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Importance, impact and results of the February Revolution:-
The February Revolution of 1848 was a groundbreaking and far-reaching event in the history of France and the whole of Europe. As a result of the February Revolution, autocracy and monarchy ended in France. King Louis Philippe of the Orleans dynasty fled to England, frightened by the pressure of the mass movement. Socialists (Republicans) and republicans, led by La Martin, declared a republic in France on February 26, 1848. This event is known as the ''Second Republic'' in France.
The results of the February Revolution can be discussed in two ways -
(a) The impact of the February Revolution in France and
(b) The impact of the February Revolution in Europe.
(a) The impact of the February Revolution in France:-
1. Recognition of universal suffrage: -
Previously, during the reign of Louis XVIII, only those who paid 300 francs in taxes had the right to vote. Then, in 1830, Louis Philippe recognized the right to vote for those who paid 200 francs in taxes. At that time, only three hundred thousand people in the whole of France had the right to vote. But in 1848, universal suffrage was recognized through the February Revolution.
2. Reorganization of the National Guard: -
Previously, the National Guard of France was formed and managed only by the bourgeoisie. But when the Second Republic was established in France through the February Revolution, the democratization of the National Guard was completed and all citizens were recognized as equal in joining it.
3. Establishment of the Republican Constitution: -
A Republican Constitution was written in France through the February Revolution. As a result, the structure and power of the French legislature and the system of government became republican. It was decided that all members of the legislature would be elected by general election and the president would be elected also by the people’s vote.
4. Establishment of a unicameral legislature: -
The February Revolution recognized adult suffrage in France and established a unicameral legislature of 750 members. All these members would be directly elected by the people. The term of the elected legislature was fixed at four years. In addition, the term of the president was also fixed at four years.
5. End of the monarchy: -
The February Revolution ended the long-standing monarchical rule. Previously, the Bourbon dynasty had been in power during the French Revolution. Then, the Bourbon monarchy was re-established through the Vienna Conference. Although the Bourbon monarchy fell in the July Revolution in 1830, Louis Philippe of the Orleans dynasty came to power. But the February Revolution brought down the July Monarchy of Louis Philippe and established a republic in France.
6. National Workshop: -
After the February Revolution, the National Workshop was established in France by the Republican government. Its main purpose was to provide employment to the common people and establish the rights of workers. Based on the adopted policy, it was decided that workers would not work more than 10 hours. In addition, the right to work was recognized for everyone.
7. End of the power of the bourgeoisie: -
Earlier, in 1830, the July Monarchy was established through the July Revolution, but all the powers of the legislative and executive branches were vested in the hands of the bourgeoisie. When the bourgeoisie started using the state machinery for their own interests, the interests of the common people were neglected. But when the Republic was established in France through the February Revolution, all kinds of political and special powers of the bourgeoisie came to an end and all powers were vested in the hands of the common people.
8. End of serfdom:
With the establishment of the Republic in France, the rights of citizens were protected. As a result, serfdom was abolished in France and its colonies, and millions of people were freed from slavery.
9. Seizure of power by the petty bourgeoisie:
After the establishment of the Republic, an ideological conflict began between the republicans and socialists in France. The republicans were satisfied with establishing a republic in France. But socialists like Louis Blanc were in favor of establishing economic democracy in France by ensuring the right to work, distributing wealth, etc. As a result, socialists like Louis Blanc were removed from the cabinet. Then, when the socialists organized the workers and started a revolt, the republican commander Cavignac killed about ten thousand workers and suppressed the revolt. As a result, the rights of the workers were abolished in the French Republic and the rights of the petty bourgeoisie were established.
10. End of Metternich regime:-
An important result of the February Revolution of 1848 was the end of the Metternich regime. After the fall of Napoleon, for a long period from 1815 to 1848, the Austrian Prime Minister Prince Metternich adopted various reactionary policies with the aim of establishing conservatism and the old regime throughout Europe. Under his leadership, the policies of the Vienna Conference were implemented throughout Europe. But when the monarchy was overthrown through the February Revolution, Metternich saw no other option and took refuge in England. As a result, the Metternich regime came to an end.
(b) Impact of the February Revolution in Europe.
The February Revolution of 1848 gave rise to various events throughout Europe. Since France was the epicenter of the whole of Europe at that time, any event that happened in France had its impact on Europe. In this context, Metternich said - When France catches cold, Europe sneezes.
Various reactions and events can be seen throughout Europe as an effect of the February Revolution. For example -
(i). Austria: - With the end of the monarchy in France and the fall of the Metternich system, mass movements began in the provinces of Milan, Venice, Hungary, Vienna, etc. of Austria. This movement, led by students and intellectuals, took on an intense form. As a result, the Austrian emperor was forced to announce a liberal regime and resign. After this incident, it was written in the London Times - The last beam of the old system has given way.
(ii). Bohemia: - Bohemia was part of the Austrian Empire. The Czech and Slavic ethnic groups started a movement demanding independence. Finally, the Austrian emperor declared an independent Czech state.
(iii). Hungary: - The leader of the mass movement in Hungary was Louis Kussuth. Under the pressure of the strong personality of Louis Kussuth, known as the Mazzini of Hungary, and the intense mass movement, the Emperor of Austria was forced to accept all the demands.
(iv). Germany:- The February Revolution had a strong impact in Germany. Intense mass movement spread to Baden, Prussia, Brunswick, etc. The Frankfurt Parliament was held and with the aim of forming a united Germany, King Frederick William IV of Prussia was invited to assume the throne of a united Germany. The goal of establishing a united German state went one step further. Liberalism won everywhere in Germany.
(v) Italy:- A republic was established in Italy under the leadership of Mazzini. A republic was also established in the city of Venice. On the other hand, a liberal constitution was introduced there as a result of a massive mass movement in Piedmont-Sardinia.
(vi) Denmark:- Under the pressure of the strong liberal democratic movement, King Frederick VII of Denmark convened a Constituent Assembly.
(vii) England:- Under the influence of the February Revolution in England, the Chartist movement intensified. Also, a strong armed movement started in England under the leadership of the Young Ireland Party.
Finally, it can be said that the positive effects of 1848 did not last long. In other countries including France, the benefits of the February Revolution ended in failure due to conflict between various political parties, the conflict of socialist and republican ideologies, the revival of the monarchy, etc. Still, the importance of the February Revolution cannot be denied in any way. Because, as a result of the February Revolution, on the one hand, the reactionary Vienna Treaty was completely annulled; on the other hand, nationalism spread throughout Europe.
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