Why did the German Revolutions fail?

The situation in Austria:

• Fate of the revolutions was dependent on the outcome of the power struggle in Austria
• Summer 1848 - Austrian forces put down risings in Prague and northern Italy
• October 1848 - 2000 people died as government forces regained control of Vienna
• December 1848 - Franz Joseph replaced Emperor Ferdinand
• Mid-1849 - Forces regained control of all the Empire
• Martial Law was enforced

The situation in Prussia:

• FWIV committed himself to the conservatives
• Police powers were increased and local government powers reduced
• No real democracy - three tier system
• Prussian troops put down revolutions across Germany in 1849

The failure of revolution across Europe:

• Austria, Prussia and Russia continued to dominate central and eastern Europe 
• Had a major impact on Germany

Limited revolution:

• Active revolution was rare
• There were riots in Berlin and unrest in the Rhineland and Silesia
• In the southwest, peasants attacked their landlords, castles were stormed and property destroyed
• Peaceful meetings, demonstration and…