Defining the Limits of Revolution: Post-revolutionary Conflict

Abstract

The initial ‘revolutions’ took different forms in different states. These involved the violent overthrow of the monarchy in France, efforts to expel foreign rulers by force in Lombardy-Venetia or by constitutional means in Hungary, and an agreement to search for a constitutional compromise in the German States, Austria and Bohemia. To add to the complexity, the groups which had seized power or were seeking accommodation with the former authorities, were in effect coalitions. Both at the political centre and in numerous other localities, they were composed of people with differing and often conflicting objectives. The old regimes had collapsed so suddenly. Those who now claimed a share in political authority were surprised and unprepared. Events evolved so rapidly that they were never able to find time to take stock of their situation calmly. Certainly surprise had some advantages. Thus, outside the capital cities in which the political crises had come to a head, conservatives, including the military, were presented with a fait accompli.