Armies of the European Revolutions of 1848

By Philip Cranz

27 Pages of text and 26 color plates.

In February 1848 a street riot in Paris soon turned into a general revolution that would end the French monarchy forever. Within weeks the sparks of revolution against autocratic monarchies and governments would start fires throughout Europe.
Populations, often led by dissident liberals and students rose in Prague, Milan and even Vienna. In Germany itself trouble erupted in Baden, Saxony and Berlin. Austria seemed beset on all sides and ruthlessly set about defeating the city rioters along with revolutionary and nationalist armies from Hungary and Italy. By 1849 much of Europe was again in the hands of the autocratic monarchies but Schleswig-Holstein was still in revolt against the Danes who managed to hang on despite a strong German onslaught. The forces of many of these countries were documented by Knötel and depicted here. Of special interest are the colorful uniforms worn by the Hungarian revolutionaries. Each plate is amply described with uniform details.