By the 1848 Revolution of the Liberals, we mean, the revolution led by the educated middle classes of Europe. Events of February 1848, in France brought about the abdication of the monarchy and a republic based on universal male franchise was formed. The social and economic ideas supported by the liberals are
(i) Politically, it emphasised the concept of government by consent, abolition of autocracy and special privileges.
(ii) Socially, the liberals supported the abolition of discrimination based on birth.
(iii) Economically, it stood for the abolition of trade restrictions imposed by the state.
