The Conservative Order (1815-1830) European History

The Congress of Vienna The Congress System Holy Alliance How to stop the spread of revolutionary ideas in 1815? – Try to reinstate as much of the ancien regime as possible. The Congress of Vienna The Congress System Holy Alliance

Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815 Peace settlement process lead by Clemens von Metternich, Austrian foreign minister and later prime minister Main participants Quadruple Alliance = Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (the most powerful victors decide what is to become of Europe) France, Bourbon monarchy restored w/ Louis XVIII and France is allowed to participate in the peace talks

Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815 Outcomes: Fear of Russia turning into a Napoleonic France addressed by making Poland into the Congress of Poland, which makes it autonomous to Russia France avoids punishment for Napoleon’s action, but must return any land that was not French before 1795 France must pay an indemnity to Europe In France, Louis XVIII restored to throne, but there is a constitution and he must share power with a legislative body Prussia gained territory west of the Rhine River that Napoleon had incorporated into France

Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815 Outcomes: German states’ rulers are restored, but total number reduced from 300 to 39 (ranging in size and significance from Prussia and Austria to Lichtenstein with only 5,000 people Netherlands regained (after Napoleon) independence and acquired land in southern provinces that once belonged to Spain, then Austria Spanish Bourbons restored to the throne, King Ferdinand had agreed to work with liberals, then turning into an absolute monarch Papal states restored.

The Congress System 1815-1823 A.K.A. the concert of Europe established by Metternich Made up of the Great Powers: Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Great Britain (later France) The Great Powers planned to meet together frequently for regular congresses to root out any potential revolutions, even if this meant interfering in other states/nations. Interfering was considered less threatening than revolution

Principle of Intervention at Work In 1821 A, Pr, & R do send troops to Italy to stop a rebellion and restore Ferdinand I of Naples In 1822 France given go ahead to invade Spain, stop rebellion against king and restore Ferdinand VII GB does not agree with this principle, as a result the Concert of Europe begins to break down

Holy Alliance The Guiding Principal of the Congress System Suggested by Alexander I of Russia Fellow monarchs agree to lead their countries under Christian principals

The REAL Guiding Principal Metternich wants to ensure that Russia cannot get too powerful to expand Austrian influence to ensure that a multinational country, like Austria, where nationalism was a threat, that any revolutionary ideals can be squashed

Balance of Power Definition: distribution of power among several states such that no single nation can dominate or interfere with the interests of another. Why were the members of the Quadruple Alliance so concerned with the balance of power at this time? What kind of threat did France still pose and how did the Quadruple Alliance choose to deal with this threat? Explain on map…

Beginning of Modern Ideology Conservatism Liberalism Nationalism

Conservatism GOAL: to contain liberal and nationalist forces unleashed by the French Revolution. General beliefs Obedience to political authority Organized religion was crucial to social order Community more important than individual rights – society must be ordered and organized Unwilling to accept civil liberties, representative governments, or nationalistic aspirations Hated revolutionary upheavals, change will come but SLOWLY according to Edmund Burke (Reflections on the Revolution in France) no one generation may seek to destroy the relationship between a state and its people

Liberalism GOAL: to institute the ideals of constitutionalism, civil rights, and the rule of law. General beliefs: Optimistic about human nature and transforming the world for the better Liberty and Equality Equality before the law Freedom of speech, press, assembly, peaceful opposition Opposed traditional forms of authority, i.e. monarchs or the pope Oppose government interference in the economy Free trade Hesitant to grant full political rights to poorer and less educated, as well as women Religious toleration / separation of Church & State

Nationalism GOAL: the unification of groups that share cultural backgrounds, real or imagined, General Beliefs: Try to turn cultural unity into political reality Territories of each people could create new states/countries Common languages, traditions = unity This could create common loyalty and self-government See the emergence of nation-states