Modern History: The Historical Investigation 2025: Political Movements

The Encyclopædia Britannica is a general knowledge English-language encyclopaedia. Revolutions of 1848, series of republican revolts against European monarchies, beginning in Sicily and spreading to France, Germany, Italy, and the Austrian Empire. They all ended in failure and repression and were followed by widespread disillusionment among liberals.

An excerpt from Christopher Clark's Baillie Gifford Prize Shortlisted Revolutionary Spring

Workers are stronger when we stick together. For almost two hundred years, workers have come together in their unions to organise, take action, and win. Throughout Australia’s history, unions have given working people a voice in their workplaces, but also in broader society.

Read or Listen to this article. The trade union movement was vigorously resisted by governments and employers, but by the 1850s, unions had grown powerful enough to win better protection and contracts for their members.

Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss 1848, the year that saw Europe engulfed in revolution. Governments from Paris to Palermo were toppled, but the effects were not to last.

Tom and Dominic are joined by the Regius Professor of History at Cambridge, Christopher Clark, to discuss 1848, and the lasting impact of the revolutions that came about that year.

Dan is joined by Christopher Clark, author of Revolutionary Spring. In a remarkable reinterpretation of this crucial period, Christopher explains how and why these revolutions broke out, and what their legacy has been.

Mark Crail tackles popular internet search queries and listener questions about the history of Britain’s trade union movement and its attempts to secure better conditions for the country’s workers. From BBC History Extra.