Repression, Reform and Revolution (1815-1833) AP European History Mr. Meester Pages 662-669

Order & Stability The Vienna peace settlement signaled the triumph of the political and social conservative order in Europe. The status quo had been once again defined “Order” and “Stability” was expected in the European state system The dangerous ideas (Liberalism & Nationalism) associated with the French Revolution had been contained.

The Conservatives Conservatives took their ideas from thinkers such as Edmund Burke & Friedrich Hegel Monarchies, the Aristocracy, and the Church all tended to be conservative groups They traditionally had often fought with each other in previous centuries They wanted to protect their property and influence They were pro-monarchy, anti-Enlightenment Following the Napoleonic Wars they would meet with resistance by the new ideologies

Age of Metternich Initially, most conservatives followed the lead of the Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich Suppress any expression of liberalism or nationalism. He and Viscount Castlereagh of Britain had been very instrumental in setting up the Concert of Europe at the Congress of Vennia

Austria During the first half of the 19th century, the Austrian Empire was dominated by Prince Metternich To no other country or empire were the programs of liberalism and nationalism more dangerous. The multi-ethnic composition of the Hapsburg Empire meant any recognition of the political rights and aspirations of any nationalist group would mean the probable dissolution of the empire.

German Confederation Napoleon reduced over 300 German states to 39, and the Congress of Vienna had preserved this arrangement under Austrian domination. The German Confederation was to guarantee the independence of the member states Its organization of government was a Diet (assembly), presided over by Austria, as President. The two largest states of the Confederation were Austria and Prussia. Austria was ruled by the Hapsburg dynasty Prussia was ruled by the Hohenzollern dynasty.

Prussia The Hohenzollern dynasty, was a very aggressive family and wanted to expand the borders of their northern German state. In 1815, Frederick William III had promised a more constitutional government He tried to stall reforms after the fact but eventually gave in somewhat. The Council of State improve the efficiency in the government but was not the start of a general trend. The Prussian government and its traditional ruling classes (Junkers) followed the lead of Metternich in repressing all liberal-nationalist agitation.

Prussian Liberalism Liberal-nationalist agitation was highly vocal and visible in German universities in the first half of the 19th century. Student organizations (ie. Burschenschaften) were openly promoting political arrangements that seemed radical and revolutionary. The Wartburg Festival in Jena (1817), students burned various symbols of authority. A conservative dramatist August von Kotzbue was assassinated in 1819 by Karl Sand A member of the Burschenschaften. The Carlsbad Diet was summoned in 1819 by Metternich to end the seditious acts of the liberals.

Carlsbad Decrees The first act of the Carlsbad Diet was to dissolve the Burschenschaften. Provided for university censors and inspectors. A year later, the German confederation passed the “Final Act,” which limited the subjects that might be discussed in the constitutional chambers of Bavaria, Wurttemberg, and Baden. For the next several years, secret police harassed and arrested anyone thought to be a liberal radical.

England Lord Liverpool of the conservative Tory Party controlled Parliament in Britain Faced economic problems high unemployment & food shortages Liverpool followed a reactionary policy. The Corn Law of 1815 stopped importation of cheaper foreign grains. Lead to inflationary bread costs. Got rid of income taxes on the wealthy Coercion Acts of 1817 suspended “habeas corpus”. Provided for arbitrary arrest and punishment of liberals.

Unrest and Response The Peterloo Massacre of 1819 People killed by police in a riot during a protest of the Corn Laws. The Six Acts of Parliament in 1819 Repressive measures taken in light of the Peterloo incident. The Cato Street Conspiracy An unsuccessful attempt to blow up the entire British cabinet.

France France emerged from the revolutionary period as the most liberal large nation in Europe. The period from (1815-1830) is referred to as the Restoration Era, signifying the return of the “legitimate” Bourbon dynasty to France. Louis XVIII governed France as a Constitutional monarch, by agreeing to observe the “Charter” or Constitution of the Restoration period. The moderate document limited royal power, granted legislative powers, protected civil rights, and upheld the Napoleonic Codes.

The “Ultras” Louis XVIII wished to unify the French people, which was divided into those who accepted the Revolution and those who did not. The leader of those who did not was the Count of Artois (1757-1836), brother of the king and leader of the Ultra Royalists. The 1815 “White Terror” saw royalist mobs murder thousands of former revolutionaries. New elections in 1816 for the Chamber of Deputies resulted in the Ultras being rejected in favor of a moderate royalist majority dependent on middle class support. The war indemnity was paid off, France was admitted to the Quadruple Alliance, and liberal sentiment began to grow.

Conservative Reactionism In Feb, 1820, the Count of Artois was murdered. Royalists charged that the left were responsible and that the king’s policy of moderation had encouraged them. Louis XVIII began to move the government to the right: Changes in electoral laws narrowed the eligible voters. Censorship was imposed. Liberals were bring driven out of legal political life and into near-illegal activity. The triumph of reactionism came in 1823, when French troops were authorized by the Concert of Europe to crush the Spanish Revolution and restore another Bourbon ruler, Ferdinand VII.