Forty-Eighters

The Forty-Eighters (48ers) were Europeans who participated in or supported the Revolutions of 1848 that swept Europe. In the German Confederation, the Forty-Eighters favoured unification of Germany, a more democratic government, and guarantees of human rights. Disappointed at the failure of the revolution to bring about the reform of the system of government in Germany or the Austrian Empire, and sometimes on the government's wanted list because of their involvement in the revolution, they gave up their old lives to try again abroad, emigrating to Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. They included Germans, Czechs, Hungarians, among others. A large number were respected, politically active, wealthy, and well-educated, and found success in their new countries.

For other uses, see Forty-Eighters (disambiguation).
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