1848 saw major changes across Europe as rebellions and revolts broke out in response to conservative rule and calls for greater political and economic reforms. The Chartist Movement agitated for broader voting rights in Britain while factory acts and the repeal of the Corn Laws reduced tariffs. In Italy, rebellions challenged Ferdinand II's rule in the Two Sicilies and there were calls to unite the country. Metternich lost power in Austria and Hungarians rebelled as Germans attempted national unification through the Frankfurt Parliament, despite the refusal of the Prussian king to accept the imperial crown.

1. 1848
Change with a vengeance

2. Chartist Movement

3. Conservative PM Robert Peel
Peel gave his name
to the London police
force, Peelers or
Bobbys
He and Cobden
eliminated the Corn
Laws in 1846
Factory act of 1844

4. Two Sicilies (Naples and Sicily)
Rebellions against
Ferdinand II inspired
by nobles looking for
more political rights
Talk of uniting all
Italy
Out of power for 16
months, then
returned to power

5. Metternich out of Austria

6. Hungarians rebelled

7. Germany attempts to Unite

8. Frankfurt Parliament

9. Refusal of Frederick William IV
Offered crown of
united Germany
but refused to
“stoop to pick up a
crown from the
gutter.”

10. Practical failure but inspiring