Foreign Politics
Foreign politics are also reflected in American music publishing of this period. In particular, the various nationalist movements of 1848, which Americans saw as echoing their own revolution of seventy years earlier, were celebrated in song and piano piece.
There are pieces concerning the French Revolution of 1848 and numerous versions of the Marseillaise. Napoleon, an iconic figure throughout the period, is represented by a significant number of pieces. There also are pieces on the Hungarian uprising, as well as pieces celebrating its hero, Lajos Kossuth, who toured America in 1851-52. A few pieces concern the Italian agitation of 1848. American attitudes towards British politics are complex. There are many pieces praising Queen Victoria and other pieces celebrating the fall of Sevastopol in 1855. Yet, there also are many pieces championing Irish independence.