Evaluate the causes and consequences of the 1848 to 1849 Revolutions in Italy.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the causes and the consequences of the 1848 to 1849 Revolutions in Italy. Causes may include specific local grievances, for example Milanese hostility to Austrian restrictions and Sicilian grievances about Bourbon misrule. There was also a widespread general resentment against Austrian rule and influence, leading to support for nationalist movements such as “Young Italy”. Some candidates may argue that economic grievances were a factor. Consequences may be said to include the failure of all the revolutions following the collapse of the Roman Republic, the restoration of Austrian power and the restoration of the Bourbons. In the longer term the consequences of 1848 and 1849 were increased support for the notion of Italian unification and a realization that there was a need for the support of a friendly foreign power to counteract Austrian power.