Date post: | 24-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | christiana-powell |
View: | 216 times |
Download: | 0 times |
Major Participants in the Conference
Britain – the Duke of Wellington
Prussia – King Frederick William III
Russia – Czar Alexander I
France – Prince Tallyrand
Austria – Prince Metternich
The Metternich SystemPrince Metternich hosted and
dominated the conference: admired the Old Regime and
hated the ideas of the revolution. Metternich was a reactionary
who wanted to “turn back time” to Old Regime conditions; this era is also known as the Age of
Reaction
Major SettlementsPrinciple of Legitimacy: “rightful” rulers deposed
by Napoleon were restored to power (monarchs)
Principle of Compensation – nations that helped to defeat Napoleon were compensated with landRussia received Finland and most of PolandPrussia received parts of Poland and various German
territoriesBritain received colonies like South Africa
Balance of Power – in order to prevent further conflicts, the Congress attempted to balance the size and power of states to ensure no area of Europe could become dominant again
These settlements meant the denial of democracy (principle of legitimacy) and nationalism
(principle of compensation meant that foreign rulers were
over various nationalities), both of which were the ideals
of the French Revolution
AlliancesThe Quadruple Alliance – Metternich
organized Austria, Prussia, Russia and Britain to enforce the various Vienna settlements and suppress revolutions. This is also known as the Concert of Europe
The Holy Alliance – Czar Alexander I organized this well meaning but ineffective group of monarchs who pledged to rule by Christian principles
Rejecting the Metternich System
1810 – 1823: revolutions in Latin America
1820-1821: revolutions in Spain and Italy
1821 – 1829: Revolution in Greece
1830 – 1832: Revolutions in France, Belgium, Italy and Poland
1848: Revolutions in France, the Austrian Empire, Italy and Germany
The nations of Great Britain and the United States also began to oppose the methods and policies of the Metternich system (mostly for economic reasons)
Although most of these revolutions were unsuccessful, they did lead to
the collapse of the Metternich system and brought more
democratic governments to France, Piedmont and the Austrian Empire.
Also, suppressed and disunited European national groups moved
toward national independence and unity through diplomacy and war.
Two Examples of Nationalist Groups
Fighting for Independence
Support for Italian Unification
The French Revolution encouraged other nations to seek self-determination (nationalism became popular)
The different Italian states sharedA common history (ancient Roman Empire, glory
days of the Renaissance)Common religion (Roman Catholic)Common language (Italian)Common geography (Italian peninsula)A common desire to never be conquered by an
outside power again (influence of Napoleon’s conquests)
Opposition to Italian Nationalism
Geography – the Apennine Mountains run down the center and the Po River divides the peninsula north and south
Religion – the Pope opposed it
Foreign opposition – especially Austria and France (ends “balance of power” under Metternich System)
Government – debate over the type of government to establish (confederation, republic, constitutional monarchy)
Low literacy meant it was difficult to spread ideas
How Italy Unifies1820s – people start to revolt
A series of wars gives Sardinia control over various territories
Plebiscites are held to let the people decide if they want to join with Sardinia
After a few more wars, all of the peninsula is united, with the Papal territories kept sovereign to get support from the Pope
Problems after Unification
Illiterate Italians lack the democratic traditions meant they showed little responsibility
Catholic pope banned people from participating in politics until 1904
Universal suffrage didn’t exist until 1912
There were too many political parties – bribery and corruption were widespread
Poor economy meant many Italians emigrated to the New World
Ambitious Italian Nationalism
Now that they were a nation-state, Italy wanted to become a world power (upsetting the balance of power)Built a large army and navyAcquired colonies in AfricaAttempted to expand their national
boundaries (during World War One)
Support for a German Nation-State
Common ethnicity and culture (musicians, poets, philosophers)
Napoleon’s conquest had helped them to see the benefits of unifying together
Zollverein – a free trade agreement between Prussia and most German states (except Austria)
Opposition to German Unificaiton
Cultural, religious and economic differences between the regions
Opposition by France and Austria (upsetting the Balance of Power established under the Metternich System)
Fear of a centralized government (the regions were concerned about a loss of self-determination)
How Germany UnifiesPrussian leader - Bismarck - strengthens the military
“Blood and Iron”
Bismarck convinces Austria to join him in invading Denmark and then double crosses Austria
He has made alliances with other countries so that when Austria declares war on Prussia, Austria is easily defeated
Bismarck tricks France into declaring war on Prussia, which Prussia wins.Now Prussia has annexed several territories and
declares the new German Empire – The Second Reich
Problems after Unification
Prussia and France remain bitter enemies
Germans demand a commanding role in world affairs (believe they were denied their place in history because of France and Britain)
This includes a rejection of the rules of diplomacy if necessary (realpolitik)World War One – the invasion of Belgium
The new government is dominated by Prussians, creating resentment
Minority groups are forced to assimilate