The European Revolutions, 1848-1851

According to the introduction to Jonathan Sperber's volume, historians' narratives of the 1848 revolutions were once characterised by ‘gentle mockery, open sarcasm and hostile contempt', as well as by ‘three major interpretative traditions'—those of the ‘romantic revolution' and of revolution as ‘farce', together with an overwhelming emphasis on failure. In this second edition, justified by the need to take account of recent scholarship—much of it associated with the 150th anniversary—as well as the developing interest in such relatively new themes as memory and commemoration, Sperber does much to substantiate the more positive interpretation of the events and outcomes of revolution already evident in his original work. The emphasis on the scale and intensity of revolutionary action is reinforced. Although inexplicable without the agendas established in and around 1789, these diverse revolutions were a consequence of, and substantially extended, processes of democratic organisation and politicisation. Simultaneously, constitutional and social upheaval aroused widespread social fear, and set in motion powerful counter-revolutionary processes intended to re-establish and reinforce the power of state institutions, the ideological dominance of religious confessions, and the influence of social élites. The deployment of military force was of central importance. Although democratic and nationalistic agendas were more clearly defined and attracted considerable support, the main impact of revolution was to accelerate the development of the modern bureaucratic state capable of making a powerful symbolic appeal to its citizens, of inculcating broadly conservative ideals through an expanding network of schools, and of the more effective policing of potential dissidents. Sperber is especially good at setting the wider socio-economic context for political activity, insisting most notably, as did Ernest Labrousse in commemorating the centenary, on locating 1848 within the bounds of a ‘long eighteenth century', an ancien régime économique et social. Nevertheless, this was a society in flux, a world in transition. In the post-revolutionary era, as a result of improved communications and rising productivity in agriculture and industry, of improved food supply and rising real incomes, and additionally due to the easing of demographic pressure as a result of urbanisation and emigration, the context for political activity would evolve dramatically. In spite of this, the institutional structures set in place directly in response to the revolutions of 1848 would prove to be remarkably resilient. Their legitimacy and basic effectiveness would be threatened only by the catastrophic circumstances engendered by war in 1867, 1870/71 and ultimately during the First World War. Jonathan Sperber has (re-)written a well-informed and stimulating textbook which this reviewer will certainly continue to recommend to his students

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• The backdrop of Theodor Herzl’s political activism

  Dina Ripsman Eylon•Historian•2025

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