Study this source. Source D 'The Frankfurt Parliament, which met from May 1848 to June 1849, was an ambitious attempt to create a united, liberal Germany. D...

Source analysis

Source D is from a secondary school textbook published in 2015, describing the Frankfurt Parliament (May 1848 to June 1849). It presents the Parliament as an 'ambitious attempt' at German unification that failed because it had 'no army or police force' and depended entirely on the goodwill of German princes. Frederick William IV of Prussia's rejection of the crown ('from the gutter') demonstrated monarchs' contempt for revolutionary authority. The source concludes that 'the old political order was restored.' As a textbook, it provides a clear narrative but focuses narrowly on Germany and gives a one-sided impression of total failure.

Contextual knowledge

The case for agreement: the revolutions failed across Europe in their immediate aims. In France, Louis Napoleon was elected president in December 1848 and became dictator by 1852. In Austria, the Habsburgs reasserted control with military force by 1849. Austrian troops crushed revolutions in Milan and Venice. Most constitutions granted in 1848 were later withdrawn or severely weakened. The Frankfurt Parliament's failure exemplified the revolutionaries' inability to translate ideals into power.

The case for disagreement: serfdom was permanently abolished throughout the Austrian Empire in September 1848, freeing millions of peasants, and this was never reversed. France established universal male suffrage. The experience of 1848 profoundly influenced later successful nationalist movements: Italian unification was achieved by 1861 and German unification by 1871, building on networks and ideas from 1848. Governments after 1848 increasingly recognised the need to reform from above to prevent revolution from below. Bismarck's social welfare policies in the 1880s were partly a response to this lesson.

Mark scheme (Levels of Response) [12 marks]

• Level 1 [1-4 marks]: Simple statements. For example, 'The source says the revolutions achieved nothing because the old order was restored.' No development.
• Level 2 [5-8 marks]: Uses sources OR own knowledge to argue one or both sides. Discusses the Frankfurt Parliament's failure or the wider pattern of revolutionary defeat, or identifies lasting achievements (abolition of serfdom, universal suffrage), but does not fully integrate both sides.
• Level 3 [9-12 marks]: Uses BOTH sources AND own knowledge to construct a balanced, evaluated argument. Distinguishes between short-term failure (most revolutions suppressed, constitutions withdrawn) and long-term significance (serfdom abolished, nationalist movements laid groundwork for later success, governments learned to reform). Reaches a supported conclusion, for example that the statement is too absolute: the revolutions failed in immediate political aims but achieved lasting social changes and planted seeds for later transformation.

Exam reminder: The word 'nothing' in the statement makes it an extreme claim. Look for even one lasting achievement that disproves 'nothing.' The abolition of serfdom alone demonstrates that the revolutions achieved something permanent and significant.