Explain what is meant by the 1848 revolution of the liberals. What were the political, social and economic ideas supported by the liberals?

The 1848 revolution of the liberals refers to the various national movements pioneered by educated middle classes alongside the revolts of the poor, unemployed and starving peasants and workers in Europe. While in countries like France, food shortages and widespread unemployment during 1848 led to popular uprisings, in other parts of Europe (such as Germany, Italy, Poland and the Austro-Hungarian Empire), men and women of the liberal middle classes came together to voice their demands for the creation of nation-states based on parliamentary principles. In Germany, for example, various political associations comprising middle-class professionals, businessmen and prosperous artisans came together in Frankfurt to form an all-German National Assembly. This Frankfurt parliament drafted a constitution for a German nation to be headed by a monarchy subject to a parliament. Though such liberal movements were ultimately suppressed by conservative forces, the old order could never be restored. The monarchs realised that the cycles of revolution and repression could only be ended by granting concessions to the liberal-nationalist revolutionaries.
The political, social and economic ideas supported by the liberals were clearly based on democratic ideals. Politically, they demanded constitutionalism with national unification—a nation-state with a written constitution and parliamentary administration. They wanted to rid society of its class-based partialities and birth rights. Serfdom and bonded labour had to be abolished, and economic equality had to be pursued as a national goal. The right to property was also significant in the liberals’ concept of a nation based on political, social and economic freedom.

The word ‘liberal’ is derived from the Latin ‘liber’ that means ‘free’. Liberalism means a political system or tendency opposed to centralisation and absolutism. It emphasises on absolute and unrestrained freedom of thought, religion, conscience, creed, speech, press, and politics. Liberals believed that government is necessary to protect individuals from being harmed by others, not to pose a threat to liberty.

In nineteenth century a series of republican revolts started against European monarchies. It began in Sicily and spread over to France, the German and Italian states, and the Austrian Empire. This was the time when the liberals became active. Their significant role in political and economic fields changed the outlook of European countries.

In the economic field

(i) Liberals in the 19th century urged the end of state interference in the economic life of society. 

(ii) They fought for the freedom of markets and the abolition of state-imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and capital. 

(iii) In 1834, a customs union or zolverein was formed at the initiative of Prussia and joined by most of the German states. 

(iv) The union abolished tariff barriers and reduced the number of currencies from thirty to two. 

(v) The construction of a network of railways stirred economic growth and economic nationalism which eventually strengthened nationalism.

In the political field

(i) Primary aim of liberals was to establish freedom for the individual and equality of all before the law. 

(ii) It believed that government should be formed with the consent of people. 

(iii) It was against autocracy and clerical privileges and favoured a constitution and representative government through parliament. 

(iv) During that time property-owning men only had right to vote and get elected. 

(v) The Napoleonic Code also preferred limited suffrage and reduced women’s role also. 

(vi) Women were considered as the subject to the authority of fathers and husbands. 

(vii) This led to the rise of movement by women and non-propertied men demanding equal political rights.