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Revolt in Paris

Berlin

Starting with a revolt in Sicily, much of the Italian peninsula followed suit. As the news spread, Paris rose up against King Louis Philippe, driving him into exile. Republic with a provisional government established.
Reasons were diverse: a "dull" monarch, disappointment of French power loss vs.the British, spread of socialism coupled with the revolutionary legacy, unemployment, poor living standards and conditions.
Some reactions: Metternich (to Baron Rothschild): eh bien, mon cher, tout est fini ! Count Széchenyi: mundus se expediet. While most of these revolts had social rather than political roots (inequalities, unemployment,etc.) some- like in Milan- also had political overtones. Concurrent with Milan (March 18) Berlin also rose up, followed later by other German cities. The news created rising feelings in Hungary as well.

On March 13, the "Address to the Throne" from Hungary's diet was translated into German and widely distributed in Vienna. It created demonstrations, arson, and bloody encounterswith the army. The emperor responded by dismissing famedchancellor Metternich*, minister of police and chancellor ofHungary.
Other cities: Berlin, Milan, Prague, also experienced revolts. Itmay have helped trigger the demonstrations in Pest, Hungary'slargest city.

Prince Clemens Wenzel Lothar Metternich-Winneburg, famed Austrian chancellor, was one ofEurope's most noted diplomats in the waning years of theNapoleonic empire. Remembered as the organizer and host of theCongress of Vienna (1814-15), he presided over the rearrangementof Central and Eastern Europe after Napoleon's banishment. Hisdismissal therefore was significant.

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