Europe in 1789 * 180 million people living in 100’s of States * Almost all States were governed by absolute rulers – Monarchs * National feeling not strong, especially in Central/Eastern Europe * Tried to preserve the balance of power by combining to oppose any State that threatened to dominate Europe * Mainly agricultural peasants in most countries still bound to land owning aristocrats through the Feudal System * Only Great Britain had moved significantly to industrialization
Europe in 1789 EEEEuropean continent mainly controlled by four royal families: Bourbon Family – France Hohenzollern Family – Germany (Prussia) Hapsburg Family – Austrian Empire Romanov Family – Russian Empire (Russia, Austria and England allow women monarchs)
Great Britain * Approx million people (England 9 mil., Ireland 5 mil., Scotland 1.5 mil.) * Leading commercial and trading power in the world with vast colonies * Constitutional Monarchy – King George III ( ) * Real political power was in the hands of the people, that is in the hands of the land owning class (males)
Europe in 1789 Holland * Approx. 2.2 million people * William V ( ), then controlled by France until 1815 * Major commercial and colonial power (India, Asia, S. America) * Small country, doesn’t play major political role * Stays out of wars unless it is a threat to trade or commercialism
Europe in 1789 Scandinavia Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark * Christian VII ( ) * Little influence in Europe, too far north and the water isolates them from Europe * Norway not independent, part of Denmark * Sweden owns Finland
Europe in 1789 Austria * Approx. 27 million people * Made up of many ethnic groups (mostly Germanic) held together by strong monarchy – Hapsburg Family * Maria Theresa ( ) – mother of Marie Antoinette, an “Enlightened Ruler” * Joseph II ( ) – brother of Marie Antoinette * Francis I – ( ) – also a brother * Empire falls apart after WWI * One of the four powerful empires in Europe at this time Absolute Monarchs “dictators” who are looking to help their citizens improve their lives – education for all, hospitals, industry, roads, religious toleration,etc.
Europe in 1789 Prussia * Approx. 9 million people * Fredrick the Great ( ) – Hohenzollern Family, an Enlightened ruler * Fredrick William II ( ) nephew * Fredrick William III ( ) son * Rival to Austria * Built most efficient army in Europe * Added part of Poland in 1772 Absolute Monarchs “dictators” who are looking to help their citizens improve their lives – education for all, hospitals, industry, roads, religious toleration, etc.
Europe in 1789 Germany * Doesn’t exist as we know it, called “Holy Roman Empire” * Over 300 independent States and another 50 City-States * Actually controlled by the Austrian Empire (Hapsburg Family) * Prussia wants control, too
Europe in 1789 Russia * Approx. 40 million people * * Largest country in Europe – area and population * Catherine the Great ( ) – Romanov Family, an Enlightened ruler ( Retreated from reforms after French Revolution) * Extremely backward – still under feudalism, will stay backward until early 1900’s * Isolated from rest of Europe, others not interested in attacking them, nor they attacking others Absolute Monarchs “dictators” who are looking to help their citizens improve their lives – education for all, hospitals, industry, roads, religious toleration, etc.
Europe in 1789 Russia * Czar Mikhail Romanov begins dynasty of Romanov leaders in 1613 which would last over 300 years – brings order and stability * Peter the Great ( ) in Great Northern War w/ Sweden takes parts of Finland and Baltic states * changes capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg * “Window to the West” * Catherine the Great ( ) expands Russian borders to the south (Black Sea) by defeating the Turks in 1774
Poland * Approx. 11 million people * Elective monarchy – lacked political unity and natural geographic boundaries * Partitioned by Austria and Russia in 1792, 1793, 1795 Ottoman Empire * Very weak * Austria and Russia ambitious to expand into this territory
Spain * Approx. 10 million people * Charles IV ( ) * Fallen into decline, now minor power * Colonial power in South America Portugal * Approx. 3 million people * Queen Maria I ( ) * Fallen into decline, now minor power * Colonial power in Brazil and Africa
Europe in 1789 Italy * Approx. 18 million people * Economically backward – mostly peasants * Politically under Austrian influence * Divided into many small States Republics - Venice, Genoa, Lucca, San Marino Kingdoms – Sardinia (Piedmont & Savoy) and Two Sicilies Duchies – Milan, Parma, Modena, Tuscany Papal States – Pope Pius VI ( ) Pope Pius VII ( )