ABSTRACT
What constituted a revolution and who were the revolutionaries in these years? Revolutions were largely concerned with liberal or national objectives and directed to the substitution of one narrow political elite by another. The ‘successful’ revolutions of this period illustrate these aspirations. The 1830 Revolution in France preserved constitutional government, the Belgian and Greek revolts secured national independence. The victors in each case were well-heeled members of the educated middle class. However, the upheavals which created opportunities for ambitious politicians had few connections with liberal or national concepts but were the product of the economic grievances of urban artisans. Popular demonstrations contributed to revolutionary takeover in areas where the legacy of the 1789 Revolution, subsequent wars and military conquest left governments and their armies nervous and irresolute.
