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Principle of Intervention

Definition

This principle allowed powerful countries to intervene in other nations' affairs if they believed that a revolution or rebellion threatened stability.

Analogy

It's like a school principal (the powerful country) stepping into a classroom (another nation) when there's a fight between students (revolution). The principal intervenes not just for those students' sake but also to maintain order and peace in the entire school (stability).

Related terms

Monroe Doctrine: An American policy opposing European intervention in the Western Hemisphere. It can be seen as an American version of the Principle of Intervention.

Metternich System: Named after Austrian diplomat Klemens von Metternich, it aimed at maintaining conservative political control over Europe through collective action against any potential revolutionary movements.

Congress System: Also known as Congresses of Troppau, Laibach, and Verona; these were meetings held by European powers under Metternich’s leadership where they agreed on using force if necessary to prevent revolutions - an application of Principle of Intervention.