The limits of the nation state: Bohemia, Lombardy and Sicily in the revolution of 1848/49

Never before had so many people in the Kingdom of Saxony been so enthusiastic about freedom, justice and unity as during the revolution of 1848/49. Men and women expressed their desire for civil rights, greater social justice and a Saxon and national parliament elected by the people in a variety of ways. At this time, Saxony was the most densely populated and industrially capitalistically most developed central German state. A strong democratic movement had developed here, numerous workers' associations were founded and women's rights became an issue. However, as elsewhere, conservative forces retained the upper hand in Saxony. The conference traces the interrelationships, dynamics and ambivalences of the events from different perspectives. It is interested in revolutionary careers and state action as well as transnational and transatlantic aspects and forms of remembrance and coming to terms with the revolution.