Social Victorians/Timeline/1840s

Time Line

1840s 1850s 1860s 1870s 1880s 1890s 1900s 1910s 1920s-30s

1840

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1841

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1842

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1843

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1844

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1845

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1846

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1847

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1848

After Louis-Philippe’s ouster, a provisional government declared suffrage for all adult men over twenty-one years of age (thereby increasing the electorate from 240,000 to 9 million). Slavery was abolished in France’s colonies, and the new government met the unemployment crisis by establishing National Workshops, where workers could perform menial jobs for regular pay, efforts led by Louis Blanc, with support from Armand Barbès. Many, but not all, welcomed reforms such as these. In the summer, elections led to the formation of a moderate government, liberal but orderly, suggesting that the appetite for radical change was not as great as many hoped. Similar dynamics were at play elsewhere in Europe, as tensions arose between newly formed assemblies and radicals wanting more direct democratic action. Feeling their chance slipping away, the radicals in France, led by Blanc, organized demonstrations, which led to bloody conflicts with the National Guard, still loyal to the government. The radicals marched to the Palais Bourbon, where the new National Assembly was in session. Forcing their way in, they read out a declaration in support of Poland, then surrounded the Hôtel de Ville, proclaiming their own “insurrectionary government.” Eventually they were dispersed.

January February March April May June July August September October November December

1849

January February March April May June July August September October November December