Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The unification of Germany, c1840–71 - 2 Failure of revolution, 1848–51:…
Full specification wording
Paper 2, Option 2D.2: The unification of Germany, c1840–71 - 2 Failure of revolution, 1848–51: Reasons for failure of the revolutions: counter-revolution and the strength of conservative forces across Germany; the revival of Habsburg power in Austria; weaknesses of, and divisions amongst, revolutionaries.
The 1848–49 revolutions failed because conservative forces retained decisive power.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The 1848–49 revolutions failed because conservative forces retained decisive power. Monarchs kept their armies: Prussian troops under Wrangel bloodlessly occupied Berlin in November 1848 to dissolve the assembly. Austrian forces under Windischgrätz retook Vienna. The Frankfurt Assembly had no troops or taxes. The revival of Habsburg power followed military victory and Franz Joseph's accession; Schwarzenberg imposed the 1849 constitution and, with Russian help, restored order in Hungary. Revolutionaries suffered from weaknesses and divisions: liberals wanted constitutional monarchy, democrats a republic, and nationalists disagreed over Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch solutions. Social fear of workers pushed liberals towards the princes.
What earns the marks
- Explains that conservative forces retained control of armies, bureaucracies and finances, so revolutionary assemblies could not enforce decisions.
- Uses specific evidence of counter-revolution, such as Wrangel's bloodless occupation of Berlin, Windischgrätz at Vienna, Radetzky in Italy or Prince Wilhelm's Prussian forces in Baden.
- Explains the revival of Habsburg power through military victories, the accession of Franz Joseph and Schwarzenberg's ministry (including the imposed March 1849 constitution and Russian help against Hungary).
- Analyses weaknesses of, and divisions amongst, revolutionaries: liberal against democrat aims, middle-class fear of popular violence, and Grossdeutsch versus Kleindeutsch disagreement.
- Reaches a supported judgement on which factor was most significant, weighing conservative strength against revolutionary weakness.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the revolution as a single event rather than a series of regional risings with different outcomes.
Put it right by dating and locating each episode.
Assuming the Frankfurt Assembly was a government with power.
Put it right by noting it lacked troops, revenue and an administrative apparatus.
Conflating the March 1848 Berlin rising with Wrangel's November 1848 actions.
Put it right by noting the March rising led to troop withdrawal, whereas Wrangel's later occupation was bloodless and dissolved the assembly.
Exam tips
- Plan by factor, then integrate evidence within each paragraph rather than narrating events chronologically.
- Deploy precise names, dates and places to support causal claims about conservative strength.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 2, Option 2D.2: The unification of Germany, c1840–71 - 2 Failure of revolution, 1848–51: Reasons for failure of the revolutions: counter-revolution and the strength of conservative forces across Germany; the revival of Habsburg power in Austria; weaknesses of, and divisions amongst, revolutionaries. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
How did the revival of Habsburg power in Austria by late 1848 contribute to the failure of the German revolutions?
Listen
The 1848–49 revolutions failed because conservative forces retained decisive power. Monarchs kept their armies: Prussian troops under Wrangel bloodlessly occupied Berlin in November 1848 to dissolve the assembly. Austrian forces under Windischgrätz retook Vienna. The Frankfurt Assembly had no troops or taxes. The revival of Habsburg power followed military victory and Franz Joseph's accession; Schwarzenberg imposed the 1849 constitution and, with Russian help, restored order in Hungary. Revolutionaries suffered from weaknesses and divisions: liberals wanted constitutional monarchy, democrats a republic, and nationalists disagreed over Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch solutions. Social fear of workers pushed liberals towards the princes. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains that conservative forces retained control of armies, bureaucracies and finances, so revolutionary assemblies could not enforce decisions. Uses specific evidence of counter-revolution, such as Wrangel's bloodless occupation of Berlin, Windischgrätz at Vienna, Radetzky in Italy or Prince Wilhelm's Prussian forces in Baden. Explains the revival of Habsburg power through military victories, the accession of Franz Joseph and Schwarzenberg's ministry (including the imposed March 1849 constitution and Russian help against Hungary). Analyses weaknesses of, and divisions amongst, revolutionaries: liberal against democrat aims, middle-class fear of popular violence, and Grossdeutsch versus Kleindeutsch disagreement. A common slip: Treating the revolution as a single event rather than a series of regional risings with different outcomes. Instead, dating and locating each episode. Exam tip: Plan by factor, then integrate evidence within each paragraph rather than narrating events chronologically.
Key words
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Counter-revolution and conservative power
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Habsburg revival in Austria
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Weaknesses of and divisions amongst revolutionaries
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Nationalism and liberalism in 1848–49
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See every definition
- Counter-revolution and conservative power
- Conservative forces retained decisive power, keeping control of armies, bureaucracies and finances so that revolutionary assemblies could not enforce decisions.
- Habsburg revival in Austria
- Habsburg power was restored through military victory and Franz Joseph's accession, with Schwarzenberg imposing the 1849 constitution and, with Russian help, restoring order in Hungary.
- Weaknesses of and divisions amongst revolutionaries
- Liberals wanted constitutional monarchy while democrats wanted a republic, nationalists disagreed over Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch solutions, and social fear of workers pushed liberals towards the princes.
- Nationalism and liberalism in 1848–49
- Liberals sought constitutional monarchy and nationalists disagreed over Grossdeutsch and Kleindeutsch solutions, while social fear of workers pushed liberals towards the princes.
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