<P> To their left was a radicalized, impoverished intelligentsia . Educational opportunities in 1840s Austria had far outstripped employment opportunities for the educated . </P> <P> In 1846 there had been an uprising of Polish nobility in Austrian Galicia, which was only countered when peasants, in turn, rose up against the nobles . The economic crisis of 1845 - 47 was marked by recession and food shortages throughout the continent . At the end of February 1848, demonstrations broke out in Paris . Louis - Philippe of France abdicated the throne, prompting similar revolts throughout the continent . </P> <P> After news broke of the February victories in Paris, uprisings occurred throughout Europe, including in Vienna, where the Diet (parliament) of Lower Austria in March demanded the resignation of Prince Metternich, the conservative State Chancellor and Foreign Minister . With no forces rallying to Metternich's defense, nor word from Ferdinand I of Austria to the contrary, he resigned on 13 March . Metternich fled to London, and Ferdinand appointed new, nominally liberal, ministers . By November, the Austrian Empire saw several short - lived liberal governments under five successive Ministers - President of Austria: Count Kolowrat (17 March--4 April), Count Ficquelmont (4 April--3 May), Baron Pillersdorf (3 May--8 July), Baron Doblhoff - Dier (8 July--18 July) and Baron Wessenberg (19 July--20 November). </P> <P> The established order collapsed rapidly because of the weakness of the Austrian armies . Field Marshal Joseph Radetzky was unable to keep his soldiers fighting Venetian and Milanese insurgents in Lombardy - Venetia, and had to, instead, order the remaining troops to evacuate . </P>

Where did the revolution begin in the austrian empire (1848)