The Metternich System Klemons von Metternich organized an international system that “turn back the clock” and restored much of the Old Regime.

Congress of Vienna Victorious nations and reps from France met to restore Europe: Britain’s Duke of Wellington, Russia’s Czar Alexander I, Prussia’s King Frederick William III, France’s Prince Talleyrand, Austia’s Prince Klemons von Metternich Metternich, chief minister of Austria, dominated the meeting Metternich directed the Congress toward restoring the Old Regime Principle of Legitimacy: The rightful rulers, deposed by the revolution or Napoleon, were restored to power. Principle of Compensation: Nations that made important contributions to Napoleon’s defeat were repaid with territory Denial of Political Liberalism: hereditary rulers as absolute monarchs restored, In France, the restored Bourbon’s granted limited suffrage, legal equality, and freedom of speech and press. Denial of Nationalism: Many national groups were denied independence Belgians, Poles, and others were handed over to foreign governments Germans and Italians remained disunited

Metternich Policies Chief minister of the multinational Austrian Empire, Metternich devoted a lot of time, energy, and resources to upholding the Vienna settlement. Because he sought to “turn back the clock” to Old Regime conditions, the Age of Metternich is also called the Age of Reaction. A reactionary wishes to return to a previous condition A conservative wishes to maintain existing conditions A liberal wishes to make moderate changes gradually A radical wishes to make basic changes quickly To enforce his reactionary views, Metternich employed the censorship of speech and press, secret police, and arbitrary arrest in the Austria Empire In 1815 Metternich organized the Quadruple Alliance of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Britain for the purpose of enforcing the Vienna settlement and suppression of revolutions. This cooperation among the nations was called the Concert of Europe. In 1818 France became a member and by 1820 Britain had left In 1815 Russia’s Czar Alexander I organized the ineffective Holy Alliance Members pledge to rule by Christian principles