1848 was a year of revolutions, starting in Paris where the government of King Louis Philippe had become unpopular with his subjects. Fuelled by a series of bad harvests, the people became hungry as well as disaffected. This revolution against the authority of the state sent shock waves across Europe, not like ripples on a pond, but massive breakers crashing onto the very foundations of established governments. In Berlin, Vienna, Rome, Milan, Prague and Budapest, control was wrenched from the loose grip of autocratic rulers and even in England the army was put in readiness to deal with Chartist rioters. In Schleswig-Holstein, a long simmering grievance came to the boil, the largely German speaking population's desire for greater freedom from their Danish masters. The two duchies quickly set up their own government and attracted support from all over Germany. Money and soldiers poured in and for nearly three years they held their own, until deserted by their allies and politically isolated at last gave up the struggle. This book describes the armies of the contenders, their organisation, uniforms and equipment.