Available online
Description
John Breuilly, Lecturer in History at the University of Manchester, discusses the background to the revolutions which took place in Germany in 1848. He discusses the social, economic and political ...changes that place after the political settlement of 1815. Prussia and Austria dominated the states in the German Confederation, but Prussia increasingly came to exercise economic leadership, as in the creation of the Zollverein in 1834, and this led to political dominance. John Breuilly discusses the tensions resulting from illiberal Prussian rule, the reactions to high bread prices and unemployment, and the conflicts caused by religious differences. He concludes that tensions were so vague and diverse that they did not represent a great threat to the governments of the day.
John Breuilly, Lecturer in History at the University of Manchester, discusses the background to the revolutions which took place in Germany in 1848. He discusses the social, economic and political ...changes that place after the political settlement of 1815. Prussia and Austria dominated the states in the German Confederation, but Prussia increasingly came to exercise economic leadership, as in the creation of the Zollverein in 1834, and this led to political dominance. John Breuilly discusses the tensions resulting from illiberal Prussian rule, the reactions to high bread prices and unemployment, and the conflicts caused by religious differences. He concludes that tensions were so vague and diverse that they did not represent a great threat to the governments of the day.
| Module code and title: | A321, The revolutions of 1848 |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A321; 06 |
| First transmission date: | 16-06-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:53 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Patricia Hodgson |
| Contributor: | John Breuilly |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Politics; Religion; Zollverein |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with prints of the Frankfurt Parliament, over which John Breuilly, describes its establishment. Over an animated map of Germany, he describes the political changes that took place between 1789 and 1815. The balance between Prussia and Austria after 1815 is explained. A portrait of Metternich is shown and his control of the German Confederation described. Using a map, Breuilly indicates which German states adopted liberalism, and prints illustrate individual examples. The attitude of Frederick William IV towards liberal reform is described. Using a cartoon depicting the economic disunity of early 19th century Germany, Breuilly describes the establishment of the Zollverein and its political results. With the aid of another map he describes the establishment of a railway network. Breuilly describes the different kinds of lane ownership in Germany with the help of a map. Using cartoons and prints for illustration, he describes peasant occupations and discontents. Breuilly describes the degree of urbanisation reached in Germany by 1855 with the aid of a map. Over various prints he states the problems of large towns, and of the artisans and the factory workers. Breuilly lists the causes and symptoms of political instability in Germany, identifying different social groups with grievances. A hunger song from the period is played over prints depicting peasant distress. Religion is considered as a source of conflict, and over a map of Germany, Breuilly identifies the territories of Catholics and Protestants. Examples of conflict are given. The programme concludes with a description of the general political state of Germany on the eve of 1848. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72179 |
| Production number: | 00525_3217 |
| Videofinder number: | 3313 |
| Available to public: | no |
