The February
Revolution of 1848
The revolution
of 1848 included the abdication of Louis Philippe and the fall of François
Guizot from power, concluding with the establishment of the second republic. The
revolution was a result of the king's reactionary policy and the poor conditions
of the working class, made obvious even further by the economic crisis of 1846-47.
A banquet campaign opposing the regime was not allowed by the government, causing
the revolution to begin when government troops fired on protestors inciting street
fighting. The revolution was ultimately a failure when its three leaders had different
goals, causing the provisional government under the leaders of the factions to
announce that they were a republic to stem the resulting chaos. Although the republic
created social workshops and promised the lower class the right to work, the plan
was implemented badly and the assembly attempted to dissolve the workshops. The
resulting workers rebellion, known as the June Days was crushed. After this Louis
Napoleon was elected president. The revolution was very important because it sparked
revolutions in many other European nations as well as showing the growing strength
of the working class to unite itself in revolution and revolt (although the June
Days revolution was a failure, they at least attempted it instead of suffering.)
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