L14: Revolutionary Changes in Political Life: Conservatism

Agenda

Objective:

To understand…

1. The beliefs and principles of conservatism.

2. The ideological and political goals of the Congress of Vienna

3. Where the world is headed in 1815.

Schedule:

1. Opening activity

2. Tenets of Conservatism

3. Congress of Vienna

4. Discussion of where the world is headed in 1815

Homework: 1.Consult unit

schedule.

REMINDER: * All HW Due Fri* Test on Fri!

Conservatism• In response to the development of

liberalism and its beliefs, another political ideology developed in Europe after 1815: conservatism– Conservatism was developed in direct opposition

to the ideas of liberalism!

• Working from a different set of assumptions, conservatism argued that liberalism was dangerous to both society and the individual.– Looked to the social destruction caused by the

French Revolution as evidence for how the liberal ideas of liberty and equality would destroy Europe’s entire social structure if liberalism spread!

• Conservatives proposed a different way of understanding and organizing political life that they believed would lead to stability and security for both society and the individual.

Conservatism • Today we will explore the political

philosophy of conservatism • We will arrive at an understanding of its

key beliefs/principles by exploring how conservatives understand 4 core concepts:–Tradition–Equality (or the lack thereof)–Hierarchy–Community

Conservatism and the Congress of Vienna

Congress of Vienna• With Napoleon

defeated, representatives of the four major European powers (Russia, Prussia, Austria-Hungary, and Great Britain) met in September in Vienna.

• The meeting became known as the Congress of Vienna.

The Four Great Powers

Prince Von MetternichAustriaLeader of the Congress of Vienna

Lord Castlereagh Great Britain

Tsar Alexander I Russia

Prince Von Hardenberg Prussia

Given what you know about the conservative beliefs of these leaders, how do you

think they are going to rebuild Europe?

Congress of Vienna: 3 Goals• Maintain and

strengthen monarchies

• Ensure that no one state dominates Europe by providing a means of setting disputes among the Great Powers

• Stop the spread of Liberalism & Nationalism!!

• How are these goals consistent with conservatism?

Age of Metternich: 1815-1848

• VERY conservative era in Europe.

• Four Powers rule according to Metternich System. • Reinstate the Ancien Regime

(Absoulte Monarchy)• Suppress nationalistic

ambitions through force.• Stop the spread of liberal ideas

through censorship and restraints on civil liberties.

Congress of Vienna: Accomplishments

• The Congress of Vienna settlement is widely credited with keeping Europe out of a continent-wide war for 100 (until World War One in 1914!).

• However, this doesn’t mean that this time wasn’t without conflict! Revolutions would soon be breaking out throughout Europe.

Where the World Is Going…

Viennese Waltz

• The Viennese Waltz is a type of ballroom dance that emerged in Austria in the early 1800s.

• It was popularized and became a huge hit after it was performed widely and the many parties held during the Congress of Vienna

• Take a look at the Viennese Waltz…

Where is the World Headed in 1815

• Think about what we have learned in this unit.

• Think about the waltz you have just seen and this quote: “You have come at the right moment. If you like fetes and balls you will have enough of them; the Congress does not move forward, it dances.” - Prince de Linge (French writer and royal)

• Where is the world headed in 1815?