When revolution broke out in Prussia in March 1848 , as part of the European Revolutions of 1848 , the king initially decided to fight it with the army , but later decided to recall the troops and place himself at the head of the movement on 19 March . When revolution broke out in Prussia in March 1848 , part of the larger Revolutions of 1848 , the king initially moved to repress it with the army , but later decided to recall the troops and place himself at the head of the movement on 19 March .