In 1848, riots convulsed Europe. They sought constitutions, democracy, national independence. When it was all over, their only success was in France, where they...immediately elected Louis Napoleon Bonaparte on a platform of restoring order. 4 yrs later, he was Emperor.

What brought change to Europe? Not riots. In some cases, war; in others (Britain), peaceful political processes. Civil disorder, however, ended only in dismal failure.

Many of the same people who always say "war never solved anything" are the ones claiming that riots work or can be justified. The reality of history, however, is that riots almost never work unless they become wars or enlist government force in their cause.

Literally any book about 1848 or 1968 would disabuse anyone of the notion that riots are a good political strategy under any system of government.

There were losers. But the people who rebelled against Metternich were not winners. A decade later, his son was Ambassador to France!

The Hungarian rebels got what they wanted in 1867 - only after Austria lost a war. https://twitter.com/tsutton94/status/1266773987125854210

Britain survived 1848 intact in large part because the middle & lower middle class around London overwhelmingly opposed revolution. On the day of the Chartist demonstration, 20,000 protestors showed up - policed by 85,000 volunteer constables. https://twitter.com/WattsBack/status/1266778424464625666

Besides Louis Napoleon, also the former Prime Minister Robert Peel; William Gladstone; Richard Metternich; and half the House of Lords. All under the nominal command of Wellington. https://twitter.com/WattsBack/status/1266779695397384194