23.4/5-Napoleon’s Defeat & Congress of Vienna

Peninsular War To get Portugal to agree to blockade- sent invasion force through Spain Enraged Spanish-Napoleon responded by removing Spanish king for brother Joseph Spain upset-began guerilla war against France Small groups-would attack and then flee into hiding Napoleon lost 300,000 men and France weakened

Invasion of Russia Biggest mistake for Napoleon- Russian leader would not stop selling grain to Britain Originally allies-breakdown of alliance and march of French troops into Russia Russians practiced scorched earth policy-burned grain and livestock so enemy cannot eat Russia burned capital rather than let Napoleon conquer it As Napoleon and troops retreated- died from cold, hunger, etc.

Napoleon’s Defeat France weak-Russia, Britain, Prussia and Sweden joined against Napoleon Austria also declared war-all main powers of Europe all at war with France Opposing troops forced on- captured Paris Napoleon defeated & sent into exile in Elba

Hundred Days New king-Louis XVIII Unpopular-Napoleon escaped Elba and returned to France- become emperor again British and Prussians attacked Napoleon and defeated him at Waterloo Europeans sent him to St. Helena in Atlantic-lived in exile and died in 1821 “Great leader but no virtue”-new order needed in France

Congress of Vienna European leaders were looking to establish peace and stability on continent after defeat of Napoleon Series of meetings in Vienna to achieve this goal Meant to last four weeks- instead 8 months

Metternich’s Plan for Europe Most arrangements made in secret by 5 “great powers”- Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain, and France Most influential foreign minister of Austria-Klemens von Metternich Distrusted democracy-saw Napoleon’s actions resulting from problems with democracy Get back to stable Europe

Containment of France Austrian Netherlands and Dutch Republic united for form Kingdom of Netherlands 39 German states unified for German Confederation Switzerland recognized as independent All done to make weak countries around France stronger and prevent France from trying to dominate weaker nations

Balance of Power Although Congress wanted to weaken France-did not want to leave it powerless If severely punished them-might try to take revenge If broke France up-another country may become too powerful France still big power but weakened No country in Europe easily overpower another

Legitimacy Affirmed principle of legitimacy- restoring old rulers of Europe back to Europe Belief of return of former monarchs would stabilize relations in Europe Congress of Vienna success in bringing countries together to fix issues Victory for conservatives-brought old princes and kings back to power

Spirit of Revolution Governments held firm but could not fully contain ideas from the Revolution France deeply divided between conservatives happy with Louis XVIII and liberals who wanted more power to legislature Set political ideas of democracy, freedom, equality, etc. in motion

Long-Term Legacy Revolutions broke out in Brazil, Mexico, and Latin America Diminished the size and power of France Nationalism (patriotism) spread- would break out in later revolutions in 1800s Ideas about power and authority permanently changed People began to see democracy as best way to ensure equality and justice