Hunger, Hardship and Popular Revolt
The 1830s were years of great economic hardship in Europe, as a significant increase in population led to more job seekers than available employment. The migration of rural populations to cities culminated in overcrowded slums and intense competition among small producers who faced rising competition from cheaper, machine-made goods imported from England, particularly in textile production. This economic situation led to severe struggles for peasants, compounded by the burdens of feudal obligations and rising food prices due to poor harvests.
The year 1848 saw a dramatic rise in civil unrest fueled by food shortages and rising unemployment, particularly in urban areas like Paris. In response to the agitation, barricades were erected, and Louis Philippe was forced to flee, with the National Assembly proclaiming the establishment of a Republic that included universal male suffrage and initiatives like national workshops to provide employment.
Simultaneous to this, revolts such as the uprising of weavers in Silesia articulated the plight of workers subjected to the exploitation of contractors, exemplified by violent protests demanding higher wages. The revolts of 1848 illustrated the connection between economic hardship and the broader liberal movements seeking political reform and national unification across Europe. These events highlighted the emergence of a collective consciousness around workers' rights, setting the stage for future political challenges.