EUROPE IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY

SOL.WHII.7-The student will demonstrate knowledge of political and philosophical developments in Europe during the nineteenth century by a) assessing the impact of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna, including changes in political boundaries in Europe after 1815; b) describing the influence of revolutions on the expansion of political rights in Europe; c) explaining events related to the unification of Italy and the role of Italian nationalists. d) explaining events related to the unification of Germany and the role of Bismarck.

Other Revolutions In 1804, half a million slaves from Haiti revolted and became the first black republic to declare its independence. They were led by Toussaint L’ Ouverture. The French Revolution had a huge effect on the island. In 1793, representatives of the French Revolutionary government in Paris offered slaves freedom if they joined them to defeat those who opposed the French Revolution. When Napoleon came to power, he tried to return France’s colonies to the plantation system. Toussaint’s troops fought against the French and on May 7, 1802, he signed a treaty with the French that said there would be no more slavery. 3 weeks later, troops seized him and his family and shipped them to France. There he died of pneumonia on April 17, 1803.

Legacy of Napoleon Napoleon was ultimately unsuccessful at attempting to unify Europe under French domination. He set the state for 19th Century Europe to take place. He also set up a code of laws called the Napoleonic code. It is considered the first successful codification of laws in Europe and influenced the laws of other countries. It was a major step in establishing the rule of law. Nationalism became a force in Europe. Nationalism is the love of one’s country.

The Congress of Vienna After Napoleon’s defeat, many European rulers wanted to restore the old order. The powers that attended were Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia.

The Congress of Vienna They met in Vienna in 1814 to make a peace agreement. The leader was Klemens von Metternich of Austria. Metternich tried to lead by the principal of legitimacy, which meant that monarchs from royal families should be restored to positions of power. This would be the way to peace and stability.

Congress of Vienna At this meeting, the powers rearranged Europe, hoping to make a new balance of power. They did not want any country to dominate Europe. One way they did this was to give new territories to Austria and Prussia. (see attached map)

Map of Congress of Vienna

Political Philosophies Conservatism Based on tradition and social stability. Conservatives favored obedience to political authority and favored organized religion. These were crucial to order. They hated revolutions and did not like representative governments

Political Philosophies Liberalism Based on Enlightenment Principles. People should be free from government interference. Wanted to protect civil liberties! equality freedom of assembly, speech, press religious toleration separation of church and state right of peaceful opposition to government. favored government ruled by constitution.

Political Philosophies Nationalism Came from awareness of one’s community, traditions, and language. People should be loyal to their nation rather than region. Each nation should have its own government. strong ally of liberalism. Conservatives tried to crush both.

Revolutions of 1848 Another French Revolution Economic problems caused the people to overthrow the French monarch. A republic was established and universal male suffrage was the way leaders were elected. On November 4, they set up a Second Republic and Louis-Napoleon (Napoleon’s nephew) was elected president. German States Germany was made up of 38 independent states and many began to call from constitutions, free press, and jury trials. The Frankfurt Assembly was formed to prepare for a united Germany. The assembly, failed, though because it could not enforce its laws.

Revolutions of 1848 Central Europe Italy In 1848, Metternich was dismissed and a liberal constitution was formed. Hungary was given its own legislature, but it was eventually abolished by Austrian forces, with the help of Russia. Italy There were 9 states in Italy. Revolutions broke out in reaction to Austrian control of the territory. The liberals divided and Austria regained control

Italian City States

Unification of Italy In 1850, Austria was the dominant power in Italy. People began to look to Piedmont for leadership in the unification of Italy. Camillo Cavour was the Prime Minister of Piedmont. He supported liberal reforms and the unification of Northern Italy. He tried to expand Piedmont economically by expanding trade. This would help him support a large army. He knew that they were not strong enough to defeat Austria so he made an alliance with Louis-Napoleon of France. Cavour tried to provoke the Austrians to war in 1859 by building up the military.

Northern Italy Unites In 1859, the Austrians invaded Piedmont. Louis-Napoleon did not expect the Italian states of Tuscany, Modena, and Parma to unite against Austria. He backed out of the war and formed a peace treaty with Austria. The final result was France was given Nice and Savoy and Lombardy was given to Piedmont. The Austrians retained Venetia, however. The people of northern Italy continued to rebel against Austria and Parma, Modena, and Tuscany joined Piedmont.

Southern Italy Unites Inspired by Northern Italy’s successful rebellions Giuseppe Garibaldi raised an army of 1000 volunteers to unify southern Italy. Sicily and Naples (The Kingdom of Two Sicilies) was ruled by France. Garibaldi’s forces helped to lead a revolt in Sicily in 1860. They soon crossed over to the mainland and marched up the Italian peninsula, taking the entire Kingdom of two Sicilies.

Unification is Complete In March of 1861, Garibaldi turned his army over to Piedmont and a new kingdom of Italy was proclaimed. King Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont was named the king of the new Italian state. Total unification was not complete, though because Venetia was still held by Austria. Roma was still held by France. In 1866, Austria and Prussia fought in the Austro-Prussian War and Italy joined with the Prussians. Prussia won the war and Venetia was given to Italy In 1870, French troops withdrew from Rome during the Franco-Prussian war. Rome was annexed and became the capital of a totally unified Italy. Italian unification had take 12 years!!

Unification of Germany

Beginnings of Unification Germans began to look to Prussia for leadership in unifying the 38 German states after the Frankfurt Assembly failed. Prussia was known for its strong militarism.

Otto Von Bismarck In 1862, King William I of Prussia appointed Otto Von Bismarck as Prime Minister. Bismarck is known as a practitioner of realpolitik. “the politics of reality” He based his politics on practical matters instead of theory or ethics. Bismarck believed the state, not the people, should hold authority. The Legislature of Germany opposed his attempts to build up the military, but Bismarck ignored them. “Germany does not look to Prussia’s liberalism, but her power.”

Bismarck’s Foreign Policy To achieve unification, Bismarck had to drive Austria out of the German confederation and overcome Austrian influence in the states. It took three wars to achieve these objectives. The Danish War Between Denmark and Germany, there were two small states called Schleswig and Holstein. The Danish King Christian IX took the throne and annexed both these states. Both Prussia and Austria joined together to prevent this and after defeating Denmark, they could not agree who would own the states. Finally, it was decided that Prussia would take Schleswig.

Bismarck’s Foreign Policy The Seven Weeks’ War Bismarck knew a conflict with Austria was coming soon. He persuaded Napoleon III of France to remain neutral and formed an alliance with Italy. He, then, provoked a war with Austria by annexing Holstein. Prussia had superior technology and defeated the Austrians in only seven weeks. The Treaty of Prague dissolved the German Confederation and gave Holstein to Prussia. The Northern German Confederation was formed.

Bismarck’s Foreign Policy The Franco-Prussian War The Southern German States still refused to united with the North. France, meanwhile, was weary of the strong Northern German Confederation. In 1870, there was a dispute between Prussia and France over who would take the Spanish throne. King William sent a letter to the French king and Bismarck changed it to make it insulting. This letter was published in France, angering the king so bad that he declared war on Prussia. The Southern German States were quick to unite against France. Prussia beat France in a few months. France lost Alsace and part of Lorraine.

Final Unification of Germany On January 18, 1871, representatives of the German states met at the Palace of Versailles near Paris. They declared a formation of the German Empire under a federal form of government. . The Prussian capital of Berlin was declared capital of Germany. Bismarck was named chancellor and was given the nickname “Iron Chancellor”. King William I was named Kaiser, or emperor.