Revolution of 1848

In July 1830, three days of rioting – the July Revolution – put Louis-Philippe on the throne of France. This marked the beginning of the July Monarchy. It lasted until 1848. The end of Louis-Philippe’s reign was marred by numerous restrictions, particularly that of freedom of speech. The republicans, in particular, were forbidden from meeting. They circumvented this ban by organising “republican banquets” where speakers took the stand. Following the ban of one of these banquets in Paris on 22nd February 1848, students and workers demonstrated, and were soon joined by the National Guard. The replacement of Prime Minister Guizot by Adolphe Thiers did nothing to calm the rioters. On 24th February, the republicans, including the poet Lamartine and François Arago, reached Paris’ town hall and declared the advent of a republican government. This was the beginning of the 2nd Republic.