1848 Revolutions in the Austrian Empire

In 1848, the Austrian Empire faced significant challenges as revolutions swept across Europe. The unrest began in Vienna on March 13th, with students demanding more rights, leading to violent government responses and subsequent riots. These revolutions aimed to improve peasant working conditions, increase democratic representation, and establish states based on national and ethnic lines. The Austrian Empire's diversity, with numerous ethnic groups, complicated matters as some sought better representation while others desired independence. The revolutionary fervor quickly spread beyond Vienna, notably to Pest, where Hungarian independence was declared. The central government struggled to respond effectively, and the Austrian army withdrew from revolting Italian states, leaving them vulnerable to invasion.

What event marked the beginning of unrest in Vienna in 1848?

• A student-led protest demanding more rights

• A royal decree granting independence

• A natural disaster

• A military coup

What was a primary goal of the 1848 revolutions across Europe?

• To abolish all monarchies

• To improve the working conditions of peasants

• To expand colonial territories

• To establish a single European government

Why was the diversity of the Austrian Empire a challenge during the 1848 revolutions?

• It resulted in a lack of military support

• Different ethnic groups had conflicting demands

• It led to economic instability

• It caused a shortage of resources

Which ethnic group was referred to as 'Ruthenians' during the 1848 revolutions?

• Czechs

• Poles

• Slovaks

• Ukrainians

What was a common demand among the ethnic groups in the Austrian Empire during the revolutions?

• Increased taxation

• Better representation

• More military power

• Expansion of territories

Which city declared Hungarian independence on March 15th, 1848?

• Pest

• Budapest

• Vienna

• Prague

Who remained king after Hungarian independence was declared?

• King Ferdinand

• Emperor Napoleon III

• King Louis-Philippe

• Emperor Franz Joseph

What was the central government's response to the revolutions?

• They immediately granted all demands

• They struggled to respond effectively

• They sought help from neighboring countries

• They effectively suppressed the revolts

What happened to the Austrian army in the Italian states during the revolutions?

• They formed alliances with local leaders

• They withdrew from most revolting states

• They gained control over more territories

• They were defeated by foreign invaders

What was the result of the Austrian army's withdrawal from Italian states?

• It caused a civil war

• It left the states open for invasion

• It led to a peaceful resolution

• It strengthened the Austrian Empire