During the 1800’s four major wars occurred: the Decembrist Revolt of 1825, the French Revolution of 1830, the French Revolution of 1848, and the Revolution of Hungarian Independence in 1848. Historians often refer to these revolutions as failures based on the results of these revolts. Many, if not all of these revolutions resulted in failures. However, despite these failures, some of these revolutions contained aspects of success that have been failed to be recognized. In order to gain an understanding of these revolutions, members of the class were assigned a revolution, researched information about it, and create a Survey Monkey.These Survey Monkeys were anonymous surveys that students completed after reading a brief passage about a certain revolution. These surveys tested the students’ understanding of the revolutions and reinforced the information once the correct answers were revealed.
My group was assigned the Decembrist Revolt of 1825. Tsar Nicholas I was born in 1796, the third son of Tsar Paul. As such he had never been expected to become Emperor of Russia, and therefore received no preparation for the role. Despite his lack of experience, Tsar Nicholas admired military discipline and believed in the convictions of duty, order, and honor. After Tsar Nicholas’ death in 1825, confusion over his succession led directly to the Decembrists’ Revolt. Citizens were angered that Alexander had not granted meaningful constitutional change. Citizens wanted Constantine, brother of Alexander I, to rule. Alexander was believed to be more liberal than his brother and was expected to be successful. However, Constantine did not want to rule and Nicholas Alexander was arranged to take the throne after his brother’s death. Nicholas had himself proclaimed tsar and planned to have the Guards regiments in St. Petersburg swear loyalty as soon as possible. According to Mikhail Fonvisin, “....the slavery of the vast majority of Russians who had no rights, the cruel treatment of subordinates by their superiors, all manner of the abuse of power, everywhere arbitrary rule – all this excited the discontent and outraged the patriotic feelings of educated Russians.” Tsar Nicholas’ reign became unjust and his abuse of power were the reasons for the Decembrist Revolt of 1825. Surfs began to riot, but had to be shot by government officials in an effort to control the riots. Conditions in Russia became so horrible and citizens continued to become more and more outraged by his cruel treatment towards his own people. Yakushki stated, “Seeing the insipid life in St. Petersburg and listening to the babbling of old men praising the past and depreciating every progressive step was unbearable. We were a hundred years from them.” Russians were frustrated hearing complaints of Russia’s political problems as they had never travelled outside of the country and seen what could become of Russia. They had never seen that people can have rights and live peacefully. The Decembrist Revolt was not a single event so much as a reaction to the post Napoleonic war situation in Russia. For years, few Russians travelled abroad. They regarded the system as authoritarian with supreme power held by Tsar. Over time, they realized that the outside world had a lot more to offer than Russia. The Decembrist Movement was born out of this realization.
Other revolutions during this time period such as the French Revolution of 1830, the French Revolution of 1848, and the Frankfurt Assembly were also failures. In France during 1830, King Louis XVII’s efforts at compromising power satisfied few people. Ultraroyalists, liberals, and radicals all wanted different styles of government. After Louis XVII, Charles X then inherited the throne. He believed in absolutism. Liberals and radicals rioted, resulting in the abnegation of King Charles X. Louis Philippe then became king. Philippe allowed prosperity of upper bourgeoisie, but suffrage was only given to wealthy citizens. Philippe tried to benefit the middle and upper class, but ignored any issues regarding the poor. Although the French Revolution of 1830 may be considered a failure by historians, this revolution did contain successful aspects, such as the abnegation Charles X and initiating riots against King Louis XVII.
Another revolution seen as a failure by historians is the French Revolution of 1848. In France, everyone denounced Louis Philippe’s government and called for expanded suffrage. By the end of the decade, turmoile spread and Louis Philippe abdigated. A group of liberal, radical, and socialist leaders proclaimed the Second Republic. Socialists forced the government to set up national workshops to provide jobs for the unemployed. However, upper- and middle-class interests shut down the workshops. Workers rioted, but boirgoisie liberals and peasants fought back. The National Assembly, dominated by members who wanted to restore order, issued a constitution for the Second Republic. It created a strong president and a one-house legislature. Newly elected president, Louis Napoleon, used his position as a steppingstone to increased his power. He later proclaimed himself as emperor and embarked on foreign adventures that brought down his empire and ended French leadership in Europe. Although the French Revolution of 1848 was considered a failure, it could also be viewed as a success. For example, Louis Philippe fled from his reign and a Second Republic was formed. This revolution established the principle to the right to work and the government created resources for the unemployed.
Lastly, in the German states, university students demanded national unity and liberal reforms. Economic hardships and famine brought struggle among citizens. In Prussia, liberals forced King Frederick William IV to agree to a constitution written by an elected assembly. He later rewrote his own, giving power to upper class. Throughout 1848, delegates from German states met in the Frankfurt Assembly. “We are to create a constitution for Germany, for the whole land,” declared one leader. Frederick William IV was offered the crown to a united Germany, but refused. The assembly soon dissolved under the threat of Prussian military. Outside the assembly, conservative forces rallied, sending citizens to prison, from their homeland and sent many to their death. If King Frederick William IV had accepted the German crown and if the constitution had remained, then the assembly would not have been considered a failure. The purpose of the assembly was to create a German constitution that would satisfy the whole of Germany and create a central system of government. Despite the obvious failures of the Frankfurt Assembly, it was an achievement to get the Parliament elected and draw a proposed constitution. Although many historians consider these revolutions as failures, the successes within these revolutions have failed to be recognized. Overall, despite the outcome of these revolutions, I would not label them as complete failures.
Pictures from our Decembrist Revolt Survey Monkey:
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