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Background: 1815 to 1852
Europe in 1815
Meeting of statesmen in Vienna following end of Napoleonic Wars
Task was to re-draw the map of Europe To punish the losers & reward the victors Main issue was the future of France Emphasis was to be on the Concert of Europe
– collective responsibility
Dominant powers at Vienna were :
Austria
Great Britain
And not forgetting - FRANCE!
Buffer states created to contain France
Kingdom of Netherlands
Prussia
Piedmont
Metternich’s influence seen in 2 key areas
Note dominance of Austria
in this area – ‘a geographical
Expression’
The German Bund-Kept weak & divided
Metternich & Europe
Austrian Empire ‘Europe in miniature’
14 separate minorities under Hapsburg rule
Major fear of Nationalism and Liberalism
Metternich known as the ‘Policeman of Europe’ or the ‘Coachman of Europe’
Bund dominated by 2 powers
Prussia inthe north
Austria inthe south
“Dualism”
Bund dominated by 2 Great Powers This not accidental – Austrian dominance of
central Europe supported by Britain Austria had long tradition of influence in
German affairs Prussia was to co-operate with Austria till the
1850s
Obstacles to unification ?
Obstacles to Unification
Bund had 39 member states – separate govts, rulers, customs etc
Religious divide – Protestant North & Catholic South
Bund contained non-Germans & some Germans were excluded
Diet met in Vienna Changes to constitution required ¾ agreement
The work of Metternich
Opposed to concepts of Liberty & Equality
Supported establishment of the Bund
Carlsbad Decrees (1819) – German rulers to work against revolutionary activity
Final Act of Vienna (1820)
The Zollverein
Note the exclusion ofAustria!
Note the exclusion ofAustria!
“The Vor März”
Name given to the period 1830s to 1848 Period of political stagnation Number of writers urging unification Common feeling was dislike of the French BUT there were too many states and too many
vested interests
German Nationalism in the 1830s
Little impact following events in France Evidence of activities amongst students Metternich’s reaction - 6 Articles (1832) Tight control of universities continued Radical writers banned as subversives
Hope in the 1840s?
Zollverein growing in importance However growth of industry was slow Demands of Prussian middle classes Accession of Frederick William IV – character Allowed united Prussian Diet in 1847 Opposition to any kind of constitution very
clear!
1848-9 The Revolutions
Call for National Parliament – meeting at Frankfurt
Overwhelmingly m/class Constitution drafted Problem over sovereignty Major debate over inclusion or exclusion of
Austrian Empire
1848-9 Failure
Authorities slowly regained control Splits evident amongst delegates Austrians rejected invitation Frederick William rejected crown Frankfurt Parliament dissolved End of German liberal hopes
Prussia vs. Austria – The Erfurt League
1849 Frederick William still had ambitions to unite Germany under Prussia
Formation of the Erfurt League This was clear challenge to Austrian authority
though Austria still in weakened state Clash over Hesse-Cassel led to Prussia
backing down League dissolved at Olmutz Nov 1850