Synopses & Reviews
The notion of a "Springtime of European Peoples," the concept of a universal republic and the awareness of a European dimension to revolutionary events all had an important impact on the ideas of 1848 and were reflected in songs, pamphlets, and political statements. However, the meanings of 1848--its historical and memories--changed over time. In most commemorations, the revolution has appeared as a national event, a perspective which changed only in 1998, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary. This book analyzes the dichotomy between the international dimension of the revolution's ideas and the nationalization of its memories.
Review
"Overall, these essays offer a wealth of recent scholarship on the French wars of religion and the Dutch Revolt."
--American Historical Review
About the Author
Axel Körner is Lecturer in Modern European History at University College London.
Table of Contents
Part I: Introduction * The European Dimension in the Ideas of 1848 and the Nationalization of Its Memories--Axel Körner *
Part II: A European Perspective on 1848 * 1848: Connected of Comparable Revolutions?--John Breuilly * Events and Non-Events . . . Cultural Reflections of and on 1848--Martin Swales * Did Women Have a Revolution?--Gabriella Hauch *
Part III: Internationalism and Nationalism in the European Revolution * Ideas and Memories of 1848 in France--Axel Körner * National Union or Cosmopolitan Unity?--Sabine Freitag * Bohemian Spring 1848--Jan Havránek *
Part IV: Commemorations of 1848 in National Context * From Divided Memory to Silence--Simonetta Soldani * First Performances: Staging Memories of the French February Revolution--Rebecca L. Spang * "Nationality Separates, Liberty Unites"?--Jan Merk *
Part V: Conclusion * How European was the Revolution of 1848/49?--Reinhart Koselleck