In other countries of Europe, the democratic movement started a little late. Democratic movements in these countries received a fillip from the French Revolution of 1848 and people rose in revolt against their despotic ruler with a view to establish constitutional governments. In Austria the various racial groups like Bohemians, Hungarians, Poles and Serbo Croats demanded local self- government within the empire.
The Austrian emperor made promise of self-government to these communities and convened an Assembly at Vienna to form a constitution for the empire. However, this did not pacify the people and ultimately he was forced to abdicate in favour of his young nephew Francis Joseph.
In Italy the moderates belonging to the middle classes led the revolt and pressurized the ruler to grant political privileges to middle classes. In certain parts of Italy the Republican followers of Mazzzini organized violent revolutions and established Republics in Florence and Rome.
However, the enormous amount of bloodshed which accompanied these revolutions greatly frightened the middle class people and they, along with the & well-to-do people, extended full support to the rulers in restoring the old form of government.
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In Germany the revolutionaries did not want merely constitutional government which would provide them a share in the government of the country but also wanted an effective federal government for the whole of Germany. In 1849 the people elected the National Assembly which met at Frankfurt and drafted a constitution for German federation.
The constitution provided for a legislature consisting of upper chamber representing the states and a lower chamber representing the people. On 28 March, 1849, Frederick William of Prussia was elected as the executive head of the federal government.
He was authorized to assume the title of German Emperor. However, Frederick William refused to accept the title of Emperor because he did not want to provoke a war with Austria. As a result, the work done by the Frankfurt National Assembly was nullified and gradually most of the German rulers withdrew the constitutions they had granted.
However, Prussia adopted a new constitution in January 1850, which though granted extensive powers to the King, but also established a legislative parliament consisting of two houses-the upper house consisting of peers and the lower house consisting of elected representatives of the people. In the election of these members, however, only wealthy people participated. It is true that this constitution was not very liberal, but none the less it was better than autocratic rule and remained in force in Prussia till 1919.
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Thus we find that as a result of reactionary policies of statesmen of Europe democratic movements gained momentum in various countries of Europe.
Special impetus in this regard was provided by the ideas let loose by the French Revolution and the two French Revolutions which took place in 1830 and 1848. In addition the aspirations of peoples of different countries also encouraged them to fight for constitutions and greater share in the government.