The 1848 revolution was a period when liberal and social democratic revolutions took place in Europe. It is a critical event that brought about the establishment of nation states and is still considered a turning point of modern history as it paved the way for democracy.

The 1848 revolution was characterized by several factors such as political, social, economic and intellectual developments. It began with the French Revolution in 1789 which led to the end of monarchies and aristocracy in Europe. It then led to the rise of liberalism which became popular during this period due to its focus on individual liberty, representative government, freedom of speech, level playing field etc.

The main characteristic of liberalism was its emphasis on individual liberty which had never been seen before in history. This new ideology led to a general shift from centralized feudalism towards individualism, meritocracy, and decentralization.