Quote Originally Posted by Seamus Fermanagh View Post
Not sure I would go with huge success, though it is clear that a number of improvements resulted from that series of ad hoc revolutions including some growth in trade unionism. I would point to the aftermath of the Commune in 1871 -- it strikes me that more efforts at reform legislation (to undercut another such worker's revolution) were enacted in many places following this episode.
The most important contribution of 1848 was that the revolution of 1789 could not be contained. European rulers would forever have to bear in mind the possibility that their populations would not play along - and if one revolution occurred, the ruler might not be able to count on outside help, as they were likely to have a revolution on their hands as well.

The end of 1848 saw brutal repressions, but the long term effects by the above laid the foundation for our democratic system.

Further, it caused a huge uproar among the intellectuals of the working classes, creating a huge debate on how to bring about change. The commune was a direct result of these debates.