The Austrian Empire was a multi-ethnic state, making it highly vulnerable to the force of nationalism.

The revolution began in Vienna in March 1848, leading to the fall and flight of the powerful conservative statesman, Klemens von Metternich.

Liberal demands in the German-speaking heartland included a constitution, freedom of the press, and greater civil liberties.

The Hungarians, led by the nationalist Lajos Kossuth, demanded autonomy and established their own government.

Other ethnic groups within the empire, such as the Czechs, Poles, Croats, and Serbs, also put forward their own nationalist demands.

These different nationalist movements often had conflicting goals, which prevented a united front against the Habsburg monarchy.

The Austrian army, which remained loyal to the emperor, was used to suppress the various uprisings.

The new Emperor, Franz Joseph I, skillfully exploited the rivalries between the different revolutionary groups.

A crucial factor in the defeat of the Hungarian revolution was a massive military intervention by Russia, requested by Austria.

By 1849, the Habsburg monarchy had successfully re-established conservative, centralized control over the empire.