The Conservative Order (1815-1830)

1. The Conservative Order (1815-1830) European History

2. How to stop the spread of revolutionary ideas in 1815? – Try to reinstate as much of the Ancien Regime as possible. The Congress of Vienna The Congress System Holy Alliance

3. Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815 • Peace settlement process lead by Clemens von Metternich, Austrian foreign minister and later prime minister • Main participants • Quadruple Alliance = Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (the most powerful victors decide what is to become of Europe) • France, Bourbon monarchy restored w/ Louis XVIII and France is allowed to participate in the peace talks

4. Major Players • Austria – Clemens von Metternich (Prime Minister) • Restore absolutism • Limit Russia influence • Great Britain – Castlereagh (Foreign Minister) • Balance of power on continent; NO one dominant power • Russia – Tsar Alexander I • Extend Russian influence into Europe through Poland • Prussia – Frederick William III • Limit Russian influence • Increase Prussian territory (Saxony) • France – Talleyrand • Ensure a strong France • Limits the type of “punishments” for France

5. Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815 • Outcomes: • Russian Expansion - Congress Poland (autonomous to Russia) • France avoids punishment BUT • must return any land that was not French before 1795 • must pay an indemnity to Europe • In France, Louis XVIII restored to throne, but there is a constitution and he must share power with a legislative body • Prussia gained territory west of the Rhine River BUT only received a portion of Saxony

6. Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815 • Outcomes: • German states’ rulers are restored, BUT only 39 States • Netherlands regained independence, made a KINGDOM, AND acquired Austrian Netherlands (Belgium) • Spanish Bourbons restored to the throne • At first LIBERAL but then ABSOLUTE (conservative) • Papal states restored – Pope is again a temporal, as well as spiritual ruler.

8. The Congress System 1815-1823A.K.A. the Concert of Europe • established by Metternich • Made up of the Great Powers: Prussia, Austria, Russia, and Great Britain (later France) • The Great Powers planned to meet together frequently for regular congresses to root out any potential revolutions, even if this meant interfering in other states/nations. • Interfering was considered less threatening than revolution • SIG: Maintaining international peace and stability becomes the greatest goal of European diplomats. - No general war for almost 100 years!

9. Holy Alliance • The “Guiding Principal” of the Congress System • Suggested by Alexander I of Russia • Influence by Christian mysticism • Reluctantly accepted by other countries EXCEPT England

10. The REAL Guiding Principal • Metternich wants • to ensure that Russia cannot get too powerful • to expand Austrian influence • to ensure that a multinational country, like Austria, where nationalism was a threat, that any revolutionary ideals can be squashed

11. Balance of Power Definition: distribution of power among several states such that no single nation can dominate or interfere with the interests of another. • Why were the members of the Quadruple Alliance so concerned with the balance of power at this time? • What kind of threat did France still pose and how did the Quadruple Alliance choose to deal with this threat? Explain on map…

13. System Failure • Principle of Intervention • Continental European states want to stop liberal / nationalistic revolutions at ALL COSTS • Will invade other countries to support “legitimate” absolute monarchs • GB does not always agree with intervention– they prefer isolationism over being involved with continental politics • As a result the Concert of Europe begins to break down