The 1848 Revolutions and Nationalism

The 1848 Revolutions and Nationalism

1848 In France we have the February Revolution*. Lots of street fighting and government troops firing on demonstrators sets it off. There is a provisional government (made up of a lot of those social reformers like Blanc*) which overthrows the monarchy of Louis Philippe* and establishes the Second Republic*. The government is headed briefly by the romantic poet, novelist and statesman, Alphonse Marie Louis de Lamartine*. It won't be very successful and in June the workers will revolt again. Eventually they hammer out a constitution. This enables Louis Napoleon* (1808-87, nephew of the great man) to come home, run for president and get the job. More about him later. Meanwhile Blanc* has been caught running a workers revolt and he runs off to England.

The French February Revolution* sets off a rash of revolutionary explosions (fueled by nationalism*) all over Europe. These revolutions of 1848 include some liberal revolutions in the German States (remember the German Confederation*?) which brings in the Frankfurt Parliament that favors German unification. In the Hapsburg empire (see above) the revolutionaries are looking for more autonomy. They don't get it. In Italy they are trying to get rid of the Hapsburgs. They don't get that either. In almost all cases the old orders get control back where they want it. In Italy there is a period of cultural nationalism and political activism called Risorgimento* which will lead to Italian unification. A leader in this movement in the current revolution is Giuseppe Mazzini* who, next year, takes part in the Roman Republic.

1848 This is the year Engels* (see above 1844) and Marx* come out with their Communist Manifesto*. Among other things it picks up on Blanc's* ideas (see above 1840). This Manifesto, and their later works, part company with socialist appeals to natural rights to justify social reform. Instead they come up with the view that the laws of history are bound to lead to the triumph of the working class. This will really get picked up in a big way by generations of revolutionaries as the way to go. After the revolutionary failures (of 1848), Engels* and Marx* (who is exiled) settle down in London to study and write.

In America the Mexican War ends with a treaty that gives the U.S. two fifths of Mexico's territory and $15 million, besides. The southern border is now the Rio Grande River, California is a U.S. territory which is handy because gold is discovered in California (at Sutter's Mill on the Sacramento River). The Gold Rush* is on and over 40,000 prospectors will pour into California in the next two years. This will really help economic growth out there.

Wisconsin enters the union as the 30th state. In Great Britain, William Makepeace Thackeray* (1811-63), the English satirist and novelist,

comes out with Vanity Fair*. 1848 - By this time the operetta* emerges as a distinct form. It's a fun combination of light

pleasant songs, spoken dialogue, fantasy, buffoonery parodying and satirizing just about everything.

In Great Britain, Queen Victoria* revives the govermental post of Master of Revels* and appoints Charles Kean* to this post. He will supply the queen with all kinds of entertainment at Windsor Castle and she (and her court, of course) will come to see shows at his theatre which will open in 1850 (see below). This is a real boost for English theatre.

1849 Zachary Taylor* comes in as the 12th President of the U.S. This year that most influential figure in American thought and literature, Thoreau *, comes out with his powerful social criticism, Civil Disobedience*. [This work will continue to influence a number of social movements and such later leaders as Gandhi* and Martin Luther King*.]

Sardinia (that island west of Italy) is ruled this year by Victor Emanuel II* (1820-78). He will get his country involved in the Risorgimento* (see above 1848) struggles to unite Italy. He will do it soon (see 1861).

In Great Britain, Geroge Eliot* (the pen name of Mary Ann Evans, 1819-80), launches her famous novel, Silas Marner*.

In 1849, Scribe* (and a collaborator, Legouve, who will later write Scribe's biography) comes out with his most successful and well remembered play, Adrienne Lecouvreur*. It's a sensation and will influence the next author's first play. It has the commercial advantage of having Rachel*, the rising star of the French stage, acting the leading role.

Rachel* (1820-58) has been working in the Comedie-Francaise* in classical parts. She really triumphs in these (especially as Racine's Phaedre*), and with particular success on tour in Russia, London (1841), and America (1855). She will become known as one of the finest tragediennes of the French stage. This helps make Adrienne Lecouvreur* a success, and her role in this play will remain as one of the choice roles for actresses.