The Congress of Vienna

After the fall of Napoleon in 1815 and the definitive end of the revolutionary era, European statesmen were determined to restore old institutions that had been damaged by the French Revolution. We will focus on the extent to which this restoration was completed. How successful were these statesmen in turning back the clock to before 1789? How frequently were these statesmen's efforts countered by revolutionary forces?

Restoration also involved the creation of an international system that would counter the threat of French power and French revolutionary ideas. The great powers of Europe (Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia), who had struggled so hard and for so long against Napoleon were determined to contain France—which they saw not only as the most dangerous state in Europe, but also as the natural vehicle of revolution in Europe.

Congress of Vienna WHAT TO DO? YOU DECIDE…

Congress of Vienna WHAT DID THEY DO?

Congress of Vienna Concerned about the spread of nationalism and ideas of the Rights of Man spread by the French Revolution, the victor nations met to discuss the future of Europe * Monarchs wished to keep hold of the power!

Congress of Vienna Austrian, Russian, Prussian, and British European heads of state and monarchs meet to: –Contain France –Balance the power –Keep the monarchs in place legitimately They hope by imposing a treaty on France and creating an international mechanism, the Concert of Europe, they could prevent future revolutions

In General…

In Detail…

They created a European territorial arrangement whose main aim was to restrain France. The great powers also agreed to consult frequently on matters of common interest, thus launching the so-called "Congress system," which involved periodical congresses (or conferences).

Five “Great Powers” Meet: Prussia - Frederick Willhelm III Russia - Czar Alexander Austria - Klemens von Metternich Great Britain - Lord Castleraugh France – Tallyrand They meet formally only once- to sign the final treaty which was negotiated by several smaller formal and informal gathering of the delegates

Vienna – Schonbrunn Palace Absolutism grandeur

Within this system arose a coalition that sought to preserve Europe from revolution— the Holy Alliance, consisting of Russia, Austria, Prussia, and a number of smaller powers. This series of arrangements more or less kept the peace, preventing a major revolution until 1848 and a significant European war until Despite the enormous amount of force arrayed in defense of the status quo, this entire period was still characterized by violence and restlessness among revolutionary groups.

The Congress meets Sept 1814-June 1815 and there are lots of parties! Elaborate dinners, elegant balls, festive fireworks, and organized hunts. Aristocratic quests amuse themselves by trying to guess which of the maids and porters were spying for the Austrians. A Spanish diplomat insisted his country should have rights to several smaller Italian states. This so irritated the quests that they invited him to go on a ballooning excursion, and sent him in the general direction of the Alps.

Five “Great Powers” Meet: They sign a pledge of mutual protection and a pledge to prevent future revolutionary ideas….it is called The Holy Alliance (thanks to the Russian czar) And it will hold until World War I

The Men in Particular…

Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand He served Napoleon with an uncanny survival instinct and he becomes the intermediary. He exploits tensions among the allies, especially b/w Prussia and Austria The powers agree to restore the Bourbons to the throne of France: Louis XVIII The allies might have asked Fr. to sign harsh treaty but they weren’t dealing with a defeated Napoleon but a restored monarchy whose throne they wanted to solidify against future liberal challenges within France

Klemens von Metternich Influential Austrian foreign minister Distrusted democracy Plan to restore Europe to what it was before the Fr Rev and Napoleon

Metternich “When France sneezes, Europe catches a cold!“ What does this mean?

Metternich He was a handsome dandy with immaculately powdered hair. It is said he could bore people in 5 languages But, he was a determined practitioner of tough minded diplomacy HE WILL DOMINATE

Klemens von Metternich Wants European rulers to –Suppress any future revolutionary mov’ts quickly –Ensure power lies with legitimate and traditional rulers –Control the population through the press and strict laws

British Foreign Secretary Viscount Robert Castlereagh –Painfully shy, aloof, and passionate about sheepherding –British empire now includes 1 out of every 5 people in the world –Wants to eliminate threat to British commercial interests- Russia in Central Europe and always, France

Russian Czar Alexander I –He wants a religious basis to the alliance, lapses into occasional mysticism and is increasingly reactionary –He writes the Holy Alliance and in its moral claims lay justification for repression by the allies of any liberal and national mov’ts in France.

Congress of Vienna’s 3 Goals Contain France –surround with stronger countries Balance of Power –weaken France, but not too severely –no one country too powerful Legitimacy –former monarchs restored

Concert of Europe Alliance system Nations would help each other if revolutions broke out

The Concert of Europe will be tested again and again…

Conservatives or Royalists or Reactionary They are a political faction and they want to preserve the status quo Liberals or Nationalists They are a political faction and they want to promote social change and individual freedoms. They want to preserve civil rights of citizens. This includes ethnic groups which is also a nationality. Some people even believed each ethnic group should have its own gov’t

Conservatives vs. Liberals Which group would fall under which category? Middle class Nobles City workers Nationalists

Which of the following was NOT a result of the Congress of Vienna? a.New political map of Europe b.Increase in the power of Napoleon c.New political philosophies d.Restoration of European monarchies

Legitimacy- the principal that states that rulers who have been driven from the throne should be restored to power

France - Louis XVIII - returned to the throne of France I do love legitimacy!

What were the political philosophies that the Congress of Vienna was determined to crush?

Congress of Vienna tries to prevent the spread of Revolutionary/Nationalistic ideas

There were failed revolutions popping up everywhere Spain 1823 – The Holy Alliance crushed that revolution

Spain 1823 – King Ferdinand VII was placed on the throne and he immediately refused to recognize the liberal constitution of 1812 He imposed strict censorship, welcomed back the Jesuit orders and many nobles reclaimed land they lost in the Napoleonic era Allies glad to have monarchy back on throne but Spain was weakened- as was its control over its empire. Beginning in Argentina, Simon Bolivar led rebellions and even by 1821 Spain recognizes Mexico’s independence. They only have Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines left

Spain 1823 – Against that background a revolt broke out in Spain in It was led by army officers, merchants, and lawyers. Insurrections spread to Portugal and Italy The Concert of Europe demands interventions. Austria, Prussia, and Russia (British Castlereagh suffered unpopularity and suicide; and perhaps blackmail over a sexual matter so Britain distances itself on this one) the French army takes to the field for 1 st time since Waterloo. It crossed the Pyrenees mts and took Madrid. *US fears Concert of Europe may help Spain in LA so it issued the Monroe Doctrine which warns Europe away from its hemisphere

There were failed revolutions popping up everywhere Italy – crushed Hungary – crushed Greece – crushed Russia – the Decemberist revolt - crushed

But France….

The Bourbon Restoration and the Revolution of 1830

France…. The Bourbons return “in the baggage of the allies.” Louis XVIII promulgates a Charter which essentially makes a constitutional monarchy that recognizes equality before the law and the Napoleonic Civil Code It estb an assembly with Chamber of Deputies (elected in complicated two stage process based on extremely narrow electoral franchise) and a Chamber of Peers (appt by king for life)

France…. Louis XVIII dies, French politics are as convoluted as you might expect…. By 1830 Monarch Charles X promulgated the July Ordinances which shattered the principals of the Charter of Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, disenfranchisement of voters, newly restricted franchise, muzzled press, ordered new elections

France…. Louis XVIII dies, French politics are as convoluted as you might expect…. By 1830 Monarch Charles X promulgated the July Ordinances which shattered the principals of the Charter of Chamber of Deputies is dissolved, disenfranchisement of voters, newly restricted franchise, muzzled press, ordered new elections

France…. Election: Liberals want Louis-Philippe to be king. From the family of Orleans – jr branch of the royal Bourbon family – Charles X abdicates Louis Philippe become “King of French” and restores a revised version of the Charter.

France…. Louis Philippe is the “bourgeois monarchy” Even though he is liberal he is accepted by other European powers. Catholicism not official but there Doubled enfranchised voters but still France is far from being a republic Gov’t stimulates economic growth

England

s time of industrialization and poverty but there would be no true revolution in England The landed elite, which dominated Parliament, supported by manufacturing interests, enacted reforms that diffused social and political tensions by bowing to middle class demands

England By 1829 Catholics no longer restricted from office Political liberalism = Whigs Fearing when France sneezes, Europe catches a cold…England passes Reform Bill of 1832: * significant reform lowered franchise requirement- 2x electorate

England 1833 Second Reform measure- limited child labor 1833 abolished slave labor (in England) 1834 Poor Law- no longer rec’v assistance from churches but housed in “well-regulated” workhouses

England Repeal of Corn Laws Liberals want to repeal the Corn Laws which imposed a stiff tariff on imported wheat (yes, it was known as corn) Laws protected landowners but hurt importers and other businessmen Failed harvests in and Great Hunger/ potato famine in Ireland caused great depravation Not to mention the popularity of laissez-faire economics. British manufacturers and spokesmen for the poor denounced the entrenched “bread-taxing” and “blood sucking” oligarchy 1846 Parliament repealed the Corn Laws

Conclusion

The Congress of Vienna and the Holy Alliance was successful in keeping the status quo or balance of power in Europe until World War I in 1914

Hello there! Now that you know all about the three goals that Metternich had at the Congress of Vienna, we are going to play a game!

Believed national groups should have their own states People who have a common heritage and identify belong together Intolerant of other ethnic groups So, which -ism describes all of these ideas?

I will tell you a problem in Europe under Napoleon, and you can tell me how Metternich helped solve the problem!

I, Napoleon, brought a problem to Europe. I overthrew all the kings, and placed my own family members on the throne!

The original monarchs are put back in office!

I also made another mistake. I was very power-hungry and my fellow French citizens had strong feelings of Nationalism. Many surrounding countries saw this as a threat!

Made countries around France that were once weaker…. Stronger!

Another problem of mine was that France was looked at as a threat to other countries. They were always afraid I would go and conquer them, and when I did, I had ALL the power!

No country in Europe could easily overpower another!

One more review item: Which one of the following political philosophies did NOT play a role in the Congress of Vienna? a.Liberalism b. Conservatism c. Fascism d. nationalism

Thank you for playing! I hope you had a FANTASTIC time!