It effectively started on:
22 February 1848
This was the day mass demonstrations broke out in Paris after the government banned a major political reform meeting.
Within three days:
The monarchy collapsed almost overnight.
France became a republic again.
The revolution was not caused by one event — but by a dangerous mix of political frustration, economic misery, and social change.
France was ruled by a constitutional monarchy under King Louis-Philippe I — but in reality:
The Prime Minister, François Guizot, famously told critics:
“Enrich yourselves”
(meaning political rights came with wealth)
This angered both:
Paris saw growing poverty and hunger.
Reformers could not legally hold political meetings.
So they organised political banquets instead.
They became a national protest movement for electoral reform.
But when the government banned a major Paris banquet planned for:
22 February 1848
…it triggered street protests.
On 23 February, troops fired on a crowd.
Dozens were killed.
Paris erupted.
Barricades appeared overnight.
By 24 February:
The monarchy fell
The Second Republic was proclaimed
France had entered another revolutionary age.
The Duchess of Orleans, The Count of Paris, and the Count of Eu, in the Chamber of Deputies March 4th 1848
Top: The attack on the Chamber of Deputies
Bottom: The slaughter at the hotel of the minister of foreign affairs
Top: The crowd chanting " Mourir pour la Patrie
Bottom: Barricadein the Rue St. Martin
Loius-Philippe, Ex-King of the French
The Count of Paris
Top: The people in the throne room of the Tuileries
Bottom: Orgies in the palace wine cellar
Top: Scenes in the court-yard of the Tuileries
Bottom: Sketched in a saloon of the Tuileries
Top: General Garraube and staff before the Porte-St.-Denis
Bottom: Troops fraternizing with the people in the court-yard of the Tuileries
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