the Czechs convened theWrst Slavic Congress to discuss the possibility of the
political consolidation of Austrian Slavs, including Czechs, Slovaks, Poles,
Ruthenians (Ukrainians), Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs.
Despite the apparentWasco of the 1848 revolutions changes were discern-
ible, and they would have consequences in the following two decades. Perhaps
because of this 1848 has been justly called the ‘springtime of nations’. Both the
Italians and the Germans had only two more decades to wait to unify success-
fully. In 1861 (annexing Rome in 1870) and 1871 both nations would respect-
ively be recognized as independent states. Feudalism wasWnally eliminated in
Austria and Prussia. Serfdom was abolished in Russia in 1861. Universal male
suVrage started to be imposed in many countries, although this process would
only end well into the twentieth century. Hungary obtained a higher degree of
autonomy in 1867. DisaVected German bourgeois liberals, who had migrated
to the United States after 1848 taking with them their fortunes, and also their
ideals, were one of the factors inXuencing politics leading to the American
Civil War (1861–5). Their distaste for slavery, among other things, led them to
support the Union, formed by the states in the North, as against the Confed-
eracy, constituted by the seceding Southern States. After the end of the
American Civil War, the new US would continue enhancing its economic
power which would position it among the emerging world powers.
Major factors contributing to the changing socio-political climate during
this period were driven by industrialization and capitalism. These forces were
already evident in Britain during the eighteenth century, but the same pro-
cesses would only make a big impact on the continent from the 1830s. Banks
were regulated and actively encouraged economic development. By 1840
railways, already an important means of communication in Britain, were
being built in France, Germany, and The Netherlands. Canals and maritime
shipping also enhanced transport by water. Trade was bolstered, especially
after protectionist measures were lifted. The development of the industrial
sector deeply transformed the economy and led to a profound change in the
social composition of the Western world, converting an increasing number of
peasants into industrial proletariat and leading to a signiWcant growth in the
social and political power of the middle classes. This was the context in which
the study of national antiquities continued to grow.
NATION-BUILDING AND THE MEDIEVAL PASTThe process of nation-building during this era of the revolutions led to the
development of the historical enquiry, a task undertaken on the basis of texts
Liberal Revolutions (c. 1820–1860) 341