19th Century Europe The Era of “Isms”

ISMS – another word for “a set of ideas” WHY NOW? Isms are born of the French Revolution -people realize that their beliefs can result in change …and the Industrial Revolution: opinions over forms of government break down along class lines

The Isms Conservatism Liberalism Socialism Nationalism Marxism

The Congress of Vienna (September 1, 1814 – June 9, 1815) It’s job was to undo everything that Napoléon had done: Reduce France to its old boundaries  her frontiers were pushed back to 1790 level. Restore as many of the old monarchies as possible that had lost their thrones during the Napoléonic era. Prussia and Austria divide up German territories Russia gets to control the kingdom of Poland The Congress of Vienna also birthed the ideology of Conservatism. What about France? France gets a constitutional monarch....Louis XVIII. More on him later – but important that absolute monarchy is over (for the time being) in France.

Key Players at Vienna Foreign Minister, Viscount Castlereagh (Br.) Tsar Alexander I (Rus.) The “Host” Prince Klemens von Metternich (Aus.) King Frederick William III (Prus.) Foreign Minister, Charles Maurice de Tallyrand (Fr.)

Conservatism Conservatism became a popular alternative for those who were frightened by the violence unleashed by the French Revolution, conservatives believed in order, society and the state, faith, and tradition. They wanted a return to the old ways. Slogan: Turn back the clock! Political: Absolute monarchy….or at least as absolute as possible….Louis XIV style absolutism is no longer possible (except maybe in repressive Russia) Social: Restoration of religion and church (keep in mind again…this is a new era, religious toleration is generally more accepted. Conservatives just supported religion as a means of control). Economic: Mercantilism or state control… Who supported? Ruling class, some nobility, the church and peasants. Why peasants? COV is where the rulers promised each other they would help each other prevent MORE revolutions. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION WAS AN ENORMOUS EARTHQUAKE. The Congress of Vienna is the “earthquake proofing”

CONSERVATISM’S SPOKESPERSON Prince Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859) Architect of Congress of Vienna Austria’s Foreign Minister (1809 - 1848) Upper class Jealously defended its rights & privileges of the aristocracy Commitment to conservatism coupled with passionate hatred of liberalism To him – rights of people meant right to revolt = BAD Blamed liberal revolutionaries for stirring up lower classes-- they really only want peace & quiet Liberalism as dangerous because it went with national aspirations

Liberalism In between the extremes…. Representative government! Individual Rights are most important Freedoms – speech, the press Economic – laissez faire – your individual right to make money ….Adam Smith Political: Characterized by Constitutional Monarchy….Monarchs are OK as long as they give some rights to the people. Who is a liberal? Usually upper middle class. Not the old time monarchs, but the new middle classes…factory owners, etc. Members of Palriament in England may have been liberals because they were in favor of constitutional monarchy Social: Religious tolerance is good. Economic: Laissez Faire How do liberals feel about Nationalists? OK…some liberals ARE Nationalists….Socialists? They do not like the limitations on economic rights that the socialists propose. Remember socialists represent workers and liberals represent a higher level. How do liberals feel about the FR? Too messy! Revolution is too radical. How do they feel about the Enlightenment? Pretty cool – mostly these are liberal ideals.

Liberalism In between the extremes…. Representative government! Freedoms – speech, the press Economic – laissez faire – your individual right to make money ….Adam Smith Political: Characterized by Constitutional Monarchy….Monarchs are OK as long as they give some rights to the people. Who is a liberal? Usually upper middle class. Not the old time monarchs, but the new middle classes…factory owners, etc. Members of Palriament in England may have been liberals because they were in favor of constitutional monarchy Social: Religious tolerance is good. Economic: Laissez Faire How do liberals feel about Nationalists? OK…some liberals ARE Nationalists….Socialists? They do not like the limitations on economic rights that the socialists propose. Remember socialists represent workers and liberals represent a higher level. How do liberals feel about the FR? Too messy! Revolution is too radical. How do they feel about the Enlightenment? Pretty cool – mostly these are liberal ideals.

Nationalism How do you define nation? How do you become a “We?” Unifying Force Use of “we” and “they” Forms a “New” Europe A nation is defined by a common language, shared cultural tradition and religion. When these do not coincide with state boundaries, people’s aspirations for unity can spark revolts and violence. Two types of Nationalism: We don’t have a country and we want one! Examples: Hungary, Ireland,Czechs, Serbs We have a country and we are awesome (unifying nationalism). Examples: German nationalism, Italian The first kind pulls apart, the second kind brings together. (not necessarily positively or negatively either way). WHY WERE CONSERVATIVES THREATENED BY NATIONALISTS?

Socialism Seek a society where workers share a harmonious cooperative & prosperous life Government should: Rationally organize the economy & not rely upon competition to make it function properly Poor should be helped & protected from the rich Rich & poor should be ECONOMICALLY equal Private property should be regulated by the government or even abolished Utopian socialism – sought to create a better society like San Simon and Fourier

Quick Draw! Select a big idea/major concept we just learned about. Reflect on the meaning of the concept and DRAW a visual that represents it (3 min only)