🚂Europe in the 19th Century Unit 2 – Restoration and Reaction in Europe (1814-1830)

Key Events and Timeline

• 1814-1815: Congress of Vienna convened to redraw the political map of Europe following the defeat of Napoleon
• 1815: Napoleon's final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo marked the end of the Napoleonic Wars
• 1820: Revolutions in Spain, Portugal, and the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies challenged the restoration of absolutist monarchies
  • These revolutions were ultimately suppressed by the great powers of Europe
• 1821: Greek War of Independence began, marking the start of a long struggle for Greek sovereignty from the Ottoman Empire
• 1830: July Revolution in France overthrew the Bourbon monarchy and established the July Monarchy under King Louis Philippe
  • Inspired a wave of revolutions across Europe, including in Belgium, Poland, and various German and Italian states
• 1830: Belgian Revolution resulted in the independence of Belgium from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands
• 1830-1831: Polish Uprising against Russian rule ultimately failed, leading to increased Russian control over Poland

Major Political Figures

• Klemens von Metternich: Austrian statesman who played a key role in shaping the post-Napoleonic European order at the Congress of Vienna
  • Advocated for the restoration of absolutist monarchies and the suppression of liberal and nationalist movements
• Tsar Alexander I of Russia: Played a significant role in the defeat of Napoleon and the subsequent redrawing of Europe's political map
  • Initially supported liberal ideas but later embraced more conservative policies
• King Frederick William III of Prussia: Ruled Prussia during the Napoleonic Wars and the post-war period
  • Promised political reforms but ultimately failed to implement significant changes
• King Louis XVIII of France: Restored Bourbon monarch who ruled France from 1814 to 1824
  • Attempted to balance conservative and liberal factions within France
• King Charles X of France: Succeeded Louis XVIII and pursued more reactionary policies, leading to the July Revolution of 1830
• King Louis Philippe of France: Became the "Citizen King" following the July Revolution, representing a compromise between monarchical and republican ideals

The Congress of Vienna

• Convened from September 1814 to June 1815 to redraw the political map of Europe after the defeat of Napoleon
• Main participants included Austria, Prussia, Russia, Great Britain, and France
• Key principles guiding the Congress included:
  • Restoration of the balance of power in Europe
  • Legitimacy of monarchical rule
  • Containment of revolutionary and nationalist ideals
• Major territorial changes included:
  • Creation of the German Confederation to replace the Holy Roman Empire
  • Establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, combining the Dutch Republic and the Austrian Netherlands
  • Enlargement of Prussia and Austria through territorial gains
  • Russia's acquisition of most of the Duchy of Warsaw
• Criticized for failing to address the growing demands for political reform and national self-determination

Restoration of Monarchies

• The Congress of Vienna sought to restore the pre-Napoleonic political order, emphasizing the legitimacy of monarchical rule
• In France, the Bourbon dynasty was restored under King Louis XVIII, who granted a constitutional charter
  • The charter established a bicameral legislature and guaranteed certain civil liberties
• In Spain, King Ferdinand VII was restored to the throne and revoked the liberal constitution of 1812
• The Austrian Empire, under the leadership of Metternich, emerged as a bastion of conservatism and worked to suppress liberal and nationalist movements
• The restoration of absolutist monarchies faced challenges from various quarters, including:
  • Liberal demands for constitutionalism and representative government
  • Nationalist aspirations for self-determination and independence
  • Economic and social changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution

Conservative Ideologies

• Conservatism emerged as a reaction to the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars, seeking to preserve traditional social hierarchies and political institutions
• Key principles of conservative thought included:
  • Defense of monarchical rule and the principle of legitimacy
  • Opposition to revolutionary and democratic ideals
  • Emphasis on social stability and order
• Metternich and the Austrian Empire became the primary proponents of conservative policies in post-Napoleonic Europe
  • Metternich's system of "Metternichian Conservatism" sought to maintain the balance of power and suppress revolutionary movements
• Conservative thinkers, such as Edmund Burke and Joseph de Maistre, provided intellectual justifications for the restoration of traditional authority
• The Conservative order faced challenges from:
  • The spread of liberal and nationalist ideas
  • The economic and social transformations brought about by the Industrial Revolution
  • The growing demands for political participation and representation from the middle and working classes

Liberal and Nationalist Movements

• Liberalism and nationalism emerged as powerful ideological forces in the post-Napoleonic era, challenging the conservative order established by the Congress of Vienna
• Liberal ideas emphasized:
  • Constitutional government and the rule of law
  • Individual rights and freedoms
  • Free trade and economic liberalism
• Nationalist movements sought to promote the interests and self-determination of specific ethnic, linguistic, or cultural groups
  • Nationalism challenged the legitimacy of multi-ethnic empires and advocated for the creation of nation-states
• The Revolutions of 1820 in Spain, Portugal, and Italy were driven by a combination of liberal and nationalist demands
  • These revolutions were ultimately suppressed by the great powers, who intervened to restore conservative rule
• The Greek War of Independence (1821-1832) was a prominent example of a successful nationalist struggle
  • Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire with the support of the great powers
• The Decembrist Revolt (1825) in Russia, although unsuccessful, reflected the growing influence of liberal and reformist ideas among the Russian elite

Economic and Social Changes

• The post-Napoleonic era witnessed significant economic and social transformations, driven in part by the ongoing Industrial Revolution
• The spread of industrialization led to:
  • The growth of cities and the emergence of new social classes, such as the industrial bourgeoisie and the urban working class
  • Increased economic inequality and social tensions between the wealthy and the poor
• The development of transportation networks, particularly railroads, facilitated the movement of goods, people, and ideas across Europe
• The rise of the middle class and the spread of education contributed to the growth of public opinion and the demand for political participation
• The changing economic and social landscape posed challenges to the traditional social hierarchies and political institutions of the Restoration era
  • The conservative order sought to maintain stability and control in the face of these transformations
  • Liberal and socialist thinkers proposed alternative visions of social and economic organization

Legacy and Long-Term Impact

• The Restoration era laid the foundations for the political, social, and economic development of Europe in the 19th century
• The conservative order established by the Congress of Vienna faced ongoing challenges from liberal, nationalist, and revolutionary movements
  • These challenges culminated in the Revolutions of 1848, which marked a significant turning point in European history
• The legacy of the Restoration era included:
  • The consolidation of the great powers' influence over European affairs
  • The emergence of nationalism as a powerful political force
  • The growth of liberal and democratic ideals, which would shape the political landscape of Europe in the coming decades
• The economic and social changes of the Restoration era, driven by the Industrial Revolution, set the stage for the transformation of European societies in the 19th century
  • The rise of the middle class and the working class would have significant implications for political and social developments
• The Restoration era also witnessed the beginnings of European colonial expansion, as the great powers sought to extend their influence and control over other parts of the world
  • This expansion would have far-reaching consequences for the global balance of power and the development of non-European societies