How did the Revolution of 1848 change Metternich’s rule in Vienna?

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Vienna Neptune's Fountain (foreground) and the Gloriette, on the grounds of Schloss Schönbrunn, Vienna.

The Revolution of 1848 brought a definitive end to Klemens von Metternich’s long-standing influence in Vienna. As the Austrian Empire faced widespread unrest, including demonstrations by students and liberals demanding basic freedoms and a more representative government, Metternich became the primary target of public anger.1

Because he was widely viewed as the symbol of repression and conservative reaction, the government dismissed him on March 13, 1848, in an attempt to appease the crowds and quell the uprising. Following his forced resignation, Metternich fled into exile in England, marking the conclusion of his political career in the capital.21