Revolutions In Europe

Book Review # 99823

An analysis of "Revolutions in Europe, 1848-1849: From Reform to Reaction" edited by R. J. W. Evans and Hartmut Pogge von Strandmann.

1,208 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2007 United States

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the book "Revolutions in Europe, 1848-1849: From Reform to Reaction", which examines the revolutionary events that shook Europe in the middle of the nineteenth century. The paper describes how ordinary people began to publicly express nationalist fervor and join in mass protests against the reactionary authorities who had held political and governmental power in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars. The paper expresses the opinion that the authors and editors of the book provide a systematic and comprehensive analysis of these revolutionary events.

From the Paper:

"Beginning in that year the continent of Europe was rocked by revolt and rebellion, most especially in the German-speaking lands of central Europe, where ordinary people began to publicly express nationalist fervor and joined in mass popular protests against the reactionary authorities who had held political and governmental power in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars."
"The historical essays in this book explain that in 1848 and 1849, German peasants, workers, and artisans joined together to rebel against the Metternich system, inspired by ideals of nationalism and national self-determination. In analyzing their role, the authors note that they were all motivated by the same basic political and economic ideals, for they realized that their governments had little if any interest in their welfare and viewed them with contempt and condescension. Weary of oppression, millions of ordinary Europeans realized for the first time in their lives that they could effect political change through public resistance to authority. (Evans 25)"

Sample of Sources Used:

Evans, R. J. W. and Von Strandmann, H. (Editors). Revolutions in Europe, 1848-1849: From Reform to Reaction. Cambridge: Oxford University Press, 2002.