The revolutions of 1848 Essays - Suffrage, Universal Suffrage

The forces of Nationalism and liberism erupted again in the revolutions of 1848. Beggining in 1846, there were sever economic problemss in france. theses problems brought suffering to the lower middle class, workers, and peasants. at the same time, the middle class demanded the right to vote, but the government refused to make changes. in 1848 the monarahy was over thrown. a group of republicans set a provisional or temporary government. the republicans were people who wanted France to be a republic, a government in which leaders are elected. the provisional government called for the election of representitives to a contituent assembly that would draw up a new constitution. election would be by Universal male suffrage, that is all adult me could vote. the new constitution was ratified on november 4th 1848. it set up a new reublic called the second republic. the second republic had a single legislature and a president who served for four years. the legislature and the presedent were b oth selected by universal male suffrage. Electionss for the presidency were held in December 1848 and Charles louis Napolean Bonaparte won. He was the nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte.