Major Participants in the Conference

Britain – the Duke of Wellington

Prussia – King Frederick William III

Russia – Czar Alexander I

France – Prince Tallyrand

Austria – Prince Metternich

The Metternich SystemPrince Metternich hosted and

dominated the conference: admired the Old Regime and

hated the ideas of the revolution. Metternich was a reactionary

who wanted to “turn back time” to Old Regime conditions; this era is also known as the Age of

Reaction

Major SettlementsPrinciple of Legitimacy: “rightful” rulers deposed

by Napoleon were restored to power (monarchs)

Principle of Compensation – nations that helped to defeat Napoleon were compensated with landRussia received Finland and most of PolandPrussia received parts of Poland and various German

territoriesBritain received colonies like South Africa

Balance of Power – in order to prevent further conflicts, the Congress attempted to balance the size and power of states to ensure no area of Europe could become dominant again

These settlements meant the denial of democracy (principle of legitimacy) and nationalism

(principle of compensation meant that foreign rulers were

over various nationalities), both of which were the ideals

of the French Revolution

AlliancesThe Quadruple Alliance – Metternich

organized Austria, Prussia, Russia and Britain to enforce the various Vienna settlements and suppress revolutions. This is also known as the Concert of Europe

The Holy Alliance – Czar Alexander I organized this well meaning but ineffective group of monarchs who pledged to rule by Christian principles

Rejecting the Metternich System

1810 – 1823: revolutions in Latin America

1820-1821: revolutions in Spain and Italy

1821 – 1829: Revolution in Greece

1830 – 1832: Revolutions in France, Belgium, Italy and Poland

1848: Revolutions in France, the Austrian Empire, Italy and Germany

The nations of Great Britain and the United States also began to oppose the methods and policies of the Metternich system (mostly for economic reasons)

Although most of these revolutions were unsuccessful, they did lead to

the collapse of the Metternich system and brought more

democratic governments to France, Piedmont and the Austrian Empire.

Also, suppressed and disunited European national groups moved

toward national independence and unity through diplomacy and war.

Two Examples of Nationalist Groups

Fighting for Independence

Support for Italian Unification

The French Revolution encouraged other nations to seek self-determination (nationalism became popular)

The different Italian states sharedA common history (ancient Roman Empire, glory

days of the Renaissance)Common religion (Roman Catholic)Common language (Italian)Common geography (Italian peninsula)A common desire to never be conquered by an

outside power again (influence of Napoleon’s conquests)

Opposition to Italian Nationalism

Geography – the Apennine Mountains run down the center and the Po River divides the peninsula north and south

Religion – the Pope opposed it

Foreign opposition – especially Austria and France (ends “balance of power” under Metternich System)

Government – debate over the type of government to establish (confederation, republic, constitutional monarchy)

Low literacy meant it was difficult to spread ideas

How Italy Unifies1820s – people start to revolt

A series of wars gives Sardinia control over various territories

Plebiscites are held to let the people decide if they want to join with Sardinia

After a few more wars, all of the peninsula is united, with the Papal territories kept sovereign to get support from the Pope

Problems after Unification

Illiterate Italians lack the democratic traditions meant they showed little responsibility

Catholic pope banned people from participating in politics until 1904

Universal suffrage didn’t exist until 1912

There were too many political parties – bribery and corruption were widespread

Poor economy meant many Italians emigrated to the New World

Ambitious Italian Nationalism

Now that they were a nation-state, Italy wanted to become a world power (upsetting the balance of power)Built a large army and navyAcquired colonies in AfricaAttempted to expand their national

boundaries (during World War One)

Support for a German Nation-State

Common ethnicity and culture (musicians, poets, philosophers)

Napoleon’s conquest had helped them to see the benefits of unifying together

Zollverein – a free trade agreement between Prussia and most German states (except Austria)

Opposition to German Unificaiton

Cultural, religious and economic differences between the regions

Opposition by France and Austria (upsetting the Balance of Power established under the Metternich System)

Fear of a centralized government (the regions were concerned about a loss of self-determination)

How Germany UnifiesPrussian leader - Bismarck - strengthens the military

“Blood and Iron”

Bismarck convinces Austria to join him in invading Denmark and then double crosses Austria

He has made alliances with other countries so that when Austria declares war on Prussia, Austria is easily defeated

Bismarck tricks France into declaring war on Prussia, which Prussia wins.Now Prussia has annexed several territories and

declares the new German Empire – The Second Reich

Problems after Unification

Prussia and France remain bitter enemies

Germans demand a commanding role in world affairs (believe they were denied their place in history because of France and Britain)

This includes a rejection of the rules of diplomacy if necessary (realpolitik)World War One – the invasion of Belgium

The new government is dominated by Prussians, creating resentment

Minority groups are forced to assimilate