Revolutions of 1820

Quick Facts: Who was Revolutions of 1820?

Subject:

Revolutions of 1820

Known for:

A wave of political uprisings across Europe and the Mediterranean in 1820.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Revolutions during the 1820s included revolutions in Russia (Decembrist revolt), Spain, Portugal, and the Italian states for constitutional monarchies, and for independence from Ottoman rule in Greece. Unlike the revolutionary wave in the 1830s, these tended to take place in the peripheries of Europe. 1820: The Trienio Liberal in Spain 1820: the Liberal Revolution in Portugal 1820: the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies 1821 – 1829: Greek War of Independence 1821: the Kingdom of Sardinia 1825: the Decembrist revolt in Russia 1828: the Decembrist revolution in Argentina The 1820 revolution began in Sicily and in Naples, against King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, who was forced to make concessions and promise a constitutional monarchy. This success inspired Carbonari in the north of Italy to revolt too. In 1821, the Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont) forced King Victor Emmanuel I to abdicate and temporarily obtained a constitutional monarchy as a result of the Carbonari's actions, as well as other liberal reforms.

Career & Major Achievements

The Holy Alliance would not tolerate this state of affairs and decided in October 1820 to intervene. In February 1821, it sent an army to crush the revolution in Naples. The King of Sardinia also called for Austrian intervention. Faced with an enemy overwhelmingly superior in number, the Carbonari revolts collapsed and their leaders fled into exile. Colonel Rafael del Riego led a large part of the Spanish army in a mutiny, demanding that the liberal constitution of 1812 be restored.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

King Ferdinand VII agreed, but secretly asked for aid from the Congress system which, in the Congress of Verona of 1822, agreed to have France send 100,000 troops, which promptly defeated Riego's forces and reinstalled an absolute monarchy. This period was known as the Trienio Liberal. The Liberal Revolution of 1820 began with a military insurrection in the city of Porto, in northern Portugal, that quickly and peacefully spread to the rest of the country. The Revolution resulted in the return in 1821 of the Portuguese Court to Portugal from Brazil, where its members had fled during the Peninsular War, and initiated a constitutional period in which the 1822 Constitution was ratified and implemented. According to Kenneth Maxwell, "the important point about Brazil is that it became economically and politically emancipated between 1808 and 1820 while acting as the centre of the Luso-Brazilian Empire", meaning Brazil's independence was proclaimed after the nation had had an "imperial-like" experience.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1808: 1808 Milestone — According to Kenneth Maxwell, "the important point about Brazil is that it became economically and politically emancipated between 1808 and 1820 while acting as the centre of the Luso-Brazilian Empire", meaning Brazil's independence was proclaimed after the nation had had an "imperial-like" experience.
2. 1812: 1812 Milestone — Colonel Rafael del Riego led a large part of the Spanish army in a mutiny, demanding that the liberal constitution of 1812 be restored.
3. 1820: 1820 Milestone — 1820: The Trienio Liberal in Spain 1820: the Liberal Revolution in Portugal 1820: the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies 1821 – 1829: Greek War of Independence 1821: the Kingdom of Sardinia 1825: the Decembrist revolt in Russia 1828: the Decembrist revolution in Argentina The 1820 revolution began in Sicily and in Naples, against King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, who was forced to make concessions and promise a constitutional monarchy.
4. 1821: 1821 Milestone — In 1821, the Kingdom of Sardinia (Piedmont) forced King Victor Emmanuel I to abdicate and temporarily obtained a constitutional monarchy as a result of the Carbonari's actions, as well as other liberal reforms.
5. 1822: 1822 Milestone — King Ferdinand VII agreed, but secretly asked for aid from the Congress system which, in the Congress of Verona of 1822, agreed to have France send 100,000 troops, which promptly defeated Riego's forces and reinstalled an absolute monarchy.

Notable Quotes by Revolutions of 1820

“[...] The idea of the status of a colony to which Portugal in effect is reduced afflicts deeply all those citizens who still conserve a sentiment of national dignity.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Revolutions of 1820

True or False: “The Greek War of Independence was primarily fought against internal rivals rather than a foreign imperial power.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Greeks were fighting for independence from the Ottoman Empire, which is considered a foreign conqueror in this context.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Afanasy Fet — Historical peer (Born in 1820) (1820): Master of Russian lyric verse, Afanasy Fet's poetry captured the ephemeral beauty of life.
• Alexander Cartwright — Historical peer (Born in 1820) (1820): Founding member of the Knickerbockers and developer of early baseball rules.
• Aleksey Pisemsky — Historical peer (Born in 1821) (1821): A prominent Russian novelist and dramatist, contemporary to Turgenev and Dostoyevsky.
• Arthur Cayley — Historical peer (Born in 1821) (1821): Pioneering English mathematician, instrumental in founding modern algebra and group theory.
• Alexander Griboyedov — Historical peer (Died in 1829) (1829): Russian diplomat, playwright, and poet, best known for 'Woe from Wit'
• Antonio Guzmán Blanco — Historical peer (Born in 1829) (1829): Venezuelan statesman and military leader who served multiple presidential terms.
• A. P. Hill — Historical peer (Born in 1825) (1825): Confederate general who distinguished himself in the American Civil War.
• Adelaide Anne Procter — Historical peer (Born in 1825) (1825): English poet and philanthropist known for her work on poverty and faith.
• Adolph Northen — Historical peer (Born in 1828) (1828): German painter known for dramatic battle scenes, especially Napoleonic Wars events.
• Albrecht von Graefe (ophthalmologist) — Historical peer (Born in 1828) (1828): Pioneering German ophthalmologist, instrumental in establishing modern eye care.

Frequently Asked Questions about Revolutions of 1820