Hungarian Revolution begins: mass demonstrations in Pest

Background. The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was part of a broader wave of European revolutions. In Hungary, radical youths and students, including poet Sándor Petőfi and novelist Mór Jókai, sparked the revolution in the Pilvax coffee palace on March 15, 1848. These figures were instrumental in mobilizing public sentiment against the Habsburg rule, leading to mass demonstrations in Pest.

Key Figures. Sándor Petőfi, considered Hungary's national poet, was a key figure in the revolution. Mór Jókai, a leader of the outbreak in Pest, was initially a moderate liberal. Lajos Kossuth, known for his public speaking skills, rose from a lesser noble background to become a prominent revolutionary leader, demanding parliamentary government for Hungary.

Political Demands. On March 3, 1848, Lajos Kossuth delivered a powerful speech demanding parliamentary government for Hungary and constitutional government for the rest of Austria. This speech, following news of the revolution in Paris, set the political tone for the upcoming demonstrations in Pest, where radical students and poets like Petőfi and Jókai would spark the revolution.