From Restoration to Revolution(1815–1848)

April 30, 2013

Europe after Congress of Vienna, 1815

Defining ideologies:

•Liberalism•Socialism•Republicanism•Conservatism

Johann Gottlieb Fichte “To the German Nation,” 1806

“The first, original, and truly natural boundaries of states are beyond doubt their internal boundaries. Those who speak the same language are joined to each other by a

multitude of invisible bonds by nature herself, long before any human art begins; they understand each other and

have the power of continuing to make themselves understood more and more clearly; they belong together and are by nature one and an inseparable whole. Such a

whole, if it wishes to absorb and mingle with itself any other people of different descent and language, cannot do so without itself becoming confused, in the beginning at any rate, and violently disturbing the even progress of its

culture. From this internal boundary, which is drawn by the spiritual nature of man himself, the marking of the external boundary by dwelling place results as a consequence; and in the natural view of things it is not because men dwell

between certain mountains and rivers that they are a people, but, on the contrary, men dwell together—and, if their luck has so arranged it, are protected by rivers and mountains—because they were a people already by a law

of nature which is much higher.”

What defines a nation?

What is more powerful than laws?

What defines a nation?

What is more powerful than laws?

Romanticism as Cultural Revolt

• “In the life of the individual when love awakens it is older than everything else, because when it exists it seems as if it has existed for a long time; it presupposes itself back into the distant past until all searching ends in the inexplicable origin.” —Soren Keirkegaard

• “Romanticism is only....liberalism in nature.” —Victor Hugo

• Romantic Era in Music

Casper David Friedrich, The Lone

Tree (1822)

Isaac Newton,William Blake, 1795

JMW TurnerRain, Steam and Speed (1844)

France, 1830•1830: French Revolution against

Charles X (Bourbon, Old-style monarch)

- Rebels were liberals and workers

- Winter food prices up 75%

•New King: Charles’ cousin, Louis Phillipe, called the “July Monarchy”

Europe after Congress of Vienna, 1815

Map of areas of rebellion

and Revolution,

1820s–1848

Red: 1820s & ‘30s

Green: 1848

What do you notice about green vs red?

Delacroix (1830)Liberty Leading the People

1820s & 1830s, cont.

•Greek revolution against Turks, 1822

•(joined by GB, France, and Russia)

•Belguim against the Netherlands for Independence, 1830

•Flew Tricolor flag

•Drew support of other states

1848•Each country’s conflict unique, but

all consciously emulated revolutionary tradition

•Spurred by famine in 1846-- lack of grain drove up prices

•Democratic culture and national aspirations

France, 1848•France & the bourgeois banquet

(which was cancelled)

•The July Monarchy changed to the Second Republic, led by Alphonse de Lamartine. Gov’t included both moderates and radicals

•Fighting for “Right to Work” instead of “Right to Property”-- a new social nexus

Prussia,1848

•Kaiser Wilhelm IV responded to uprisings with military force

•March 1848: Kaiser responds to revolutionary crowds by retreating troops and promising a national assembly

•“Frankfurt Assembly”: 800 middle class intellectuals and lawyers

Prussia/ Germany, 1848German national aspirations had two

complications

1.non-German minorities lived in German states (Poles, Czechs, Slavs, Italian, Dutch)

2.“Germans” in other states (Austria, Russian Poland, and more)

• No matter how small, it would include non-Germans.No matter how large, it would also exclude some Germans.

•http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/lib/public/full_screen.html?http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/e/collections/maps/ethnographic/G3201-E1-1838-A6/

Italian Nationalism

•Guisseppe Mazzini led nationalist revolution, assisted by Puis XI.

•Fall 1849, militarily repressed

Metternich on1848The Revolution of 1848 in Germany and Italy

Sire, the most invincible of forces, that of circumstances, has put an end to my long political life. Your Imperial Majesty has always deigned to honor me with that form of esteem which has the highest value in my eyes, namely, confidence in my principles and such encouragement as the upright man should seek in his own conscience. To-day once more my conscience impels me as a duty to lay before your Imperial Majesty the expression of my profound gratitude for the sympathy which I believe that I have merited on your part, and of which during the whole course of your Majesty’s glorious reign you have deigned to give me so many proofs.

Europe, sire, is involved in a crisis which much exceeds the bounds of political movements. It is a crisis in the social body. I foresaw the event; I have combated it consistently during a ministry of well-nigh forty years. To check the torrent is no longer within the power of man. It can only be guided.

My efforts have been in vain. And as I so not know how to steer a middle course, or to remain in a situation repugnant to my moral sense, I have retired from the scene. Too advanced I years to hope to witness the events which may ultimately, according to my views, put an end to the present crisis, it only remains for me to offer to my master and to my country the good wishes which I shall not cease to entertain for their inseparable happiness….

Condescend, sire, to retain a kind of remembrance of me and permit me to assure you of the most profound respect. I remain, your Majesty, etc., etc.,

Metternich

Europe after Congress of Vienna, 1815

1848 revolutions failed. why?• irreconcilable split between

moderates and radicals (liberals vs. democrats)

•Property triumphed over work. Prince Louis Napoleon elected in Dec. 1848

•nationalist/ethnic partitions impossible as repressive gov’t maintained empire and feudalism