Barricades in Vienna in May 1848

The demonstration of the students on March 13, with which they demanded freedom of speech, teaching, and learning, was the starting note for the revolutionary events of 1848. From then on, the “Academic legion”, an armed formation of students, was at the forefront of all revolutionary actions. When the government resolved to dissolve the Legion, the students, supported by workers from the periphery, erected roughly 160 barricades in Vienna’s city centre from 26 to 28 May, with which they forced the government to repeal the decree.