The Age of Realpolitik 1848-1871

1. The Age of Realpolitik1848-1871 Chapter 25-1

2. Post 1850 Nationalism • Failed Revolutions of 1848: • Germany • Italy • Austria (Hapsburg Empire) • France

3. Germany • Liberals and Nationalists failed to get the support of Prussian King Frederick William Iv for a unified Germany under a Constitutional monarchy at the Frankfort Parliament • Frederick William IV refused to accept the “crown from the gutter” and offered his own (Divine Rightish) constitution instead

4. Germany continued • Austria would accept a plan for German unity only if Prussia took an oath of loyalty to the German Bund (with Austria the head of the Diet) • Humiliation of Olmutz: Prussia was forced to put her ambitions aside (for now)

5. Italy • Austrian forces were driven out of Northern Italy • French forces were driven out of Southern Italy and Sicily • Mazzini, protected by Garibaldi and his army, proclaimed the Roman Republic in 1849 • But Italian revolutionaries could not work together & rural population not on board Austria and France regained lost land

6. Austria (Hapsburg Empire) • Louis Kossuth led Hungarian forces to the gates of Vienna • But Austrian army (aided by Russian troops and Slavs within the empire) defeated the Magars and regained control

7. France • The Bourgeoisie King, Louis Philippe, was overthrown for failing to expand the franchise to the working class during the February Revolution • The June Days Revolution pitted the middle class against the working class

8. France continued • Conservatives, supported by the army, restored order • Louis Napoleon (a conservative) was elected president of the Second Republic overwhelmingly

9. Realpolitik after 1848 • Clearly, strong idealism did not meet with success in accomplishing liberal and nationalistic goals • After 1850 Realism replaced Romanticism • Realpolitik was the political outgrowth of Realism • Goals will be achieved in a step-by-step, practical, Machiavellian-like manner

10. Results: • Italian Unification • German Unification • Hungarian Autonomy • In France, Louis Napoleon will have to cater to loiberals to hang on to power

11. The Failure of the Concert of Europe • The Great Powers failed to work together in the revolutions of 1848 • This undermined their credibility • Between 1848 and 1878 Peace in Europe will be interrupted by the Crimean War and by the Russo-Turkish war of 1877-1878

12. Causes of the Crimean War • A dispute between Russian Christians and French Christians over priveliges in the Holy Land (Palistine) which was part of the Ottoman Empire • In 1852 the Turks agreed to Napoleon III’s demand that the Turks provide protection for Roman Catholic religious orders visiting Palestine

13. The Crimean War continued • The Russians believed that the Turkish-French Agreement jeopardized an existing agreement that the Turks had regarding protecting Greek Orthodox religious orders in the Holy Land • Nicholas I ordered Russian troops to occupy several Turkish-controlled provinces along the Danube

14. Crimean War continued • Nicholas I claimed that the Russian Troops would withdraw once the Turks guananteed rights for the Orthodox Christians • 1853 Turks declared war on Russia when Nicholas refused to withdraw his troops

15. Crimean War continued • 1854 Britain and France declared war on Russia • Surprising as the Turks were not Christians • Brit and French terms for Russia were called The Four Points

16. The Crimean War continued • The Four Points: • Russia must renounce claims to occupied provinces along the Danube • Navigation in the mouth of the Danube River on the Black Sea should be internationalized • Russia must renounce its special role of “protector” of the Orthodox Christians within the Ottoman Empire • Russia must withdraw troops

17. Crimean War continued • 1855 The Piedmont joined in the war against Russia • Then Austria agreed to the 4 Points and gave Russia an ultimatum: Comply or Austria would join the others • Nicholas I died

18. Crimean War continued • Alexander II (the new Czar) agreed to the 4 Points • The War: • Most was fought on the Crimean Peninsula • Over 50,000 British and French troops were there fighting against the Russians

19. Florence Nightingale 1820-1910 • British nurse who became a pioneer in modern nursing • More men died of disease than wounds from combat • Nightingales “Light Brigade” tended to the troops • However, death due to disease remained high

20. Peace of Paris • Russia the biggest loser: • No longer in control of maritime trade on lthe Danube • Had to recognize Turkish control of the mouth of the Danube • Had to renounce its claims to Moldavia and Wallachia (Romania later)

21. Peace of Paris continued • Russia renounced its role of “protector” of the Greek Orthodox residents of the Ottoman Empire • Russia agreed to return all occupied territories to the Ottomans • Black Sea would be neutral

22. Peace of Paris continued • All powers recognized and guaranteed the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire

23. The Aftermath • Russia was shocked that it had fallen so far behind in military power • Began to industrialize • Began to modernize its army

24. France: The Second French Republic 1848-1852 • Constitution: Unicameral legislature (National Assembly) • Universal male suffrage • Strong executive: popularly elected

25. Louis Napoleon • Voters saw him as a symbol of stability and greatness • Was dedicated to law and order, opposed to socialism and radicalism and favored the conservative classes: The Church Property owners The Army business

26. Louis Napoleon • Lived much of his life outside of France so little political baggage • His name carried much weight with the vogters • Needed to make concessions to the conservatives in return for their support

27. Louis Napoleons concessions to conservatives: • Falloux Law: Control of education returned to the Church in exchange for its support • Minimized the influence of the Legislative Assembly • Supported policies favorable to the Army • Disenfranchised many poor people • Closed down labor unions • Jailed many socialist or democratic leaders

28. The Legislative Assembly was Unhappy • Legislative Assembly did not grant Louis Napoleon payment of his large personal debt • Nor did they give him an allowance for his second term • So…he plotted a coup to become emperor

29. The Second Empire • Louis Napoleon arranged for a coup and took control in 1852 • This time he will court the Liberals • Restored universal male suffrage in 1852 • 92% of the people voted to make his President for the next 10 years • 1853 98% voted to make him hereditary Emperor

30. The Second Empire • France was the only country in Europe to have universal male suffrage • Back to conservatism: • Strengthened and centralized power • Wealthy businessmen became the new imperial aristocracy • Censorship of the press • Government sponsored “official candidates” in elections

31. Then 1859-1870 Liberalism • His rule will be a model for other political leaders in Europe • Will demonstrate how government could use authoritarian nationalism to foster cooperation between conservative and popular forces

32. Economic Reforms • Redeveloped Paris (von Haussmann) and rebuilt infrastructure: roads, canals, railroads • Movement toward free trade: • French exports doubled between 1853 and 1864 • Signed a liberal trade agreement with Britain in 1860 The first time that any modern state played such a direct role in stimulating the economy

33. More Economic Reforms • Banking: Credit Moblier funded industrial and infrastructural growth • France’s metallurgical industry grew big time • French investors financed projects in Russia, Spain, Italy • Lesseps Co. completed the Suez Canal in 1869

34. Political Reforms • Extended the power of the Legislative Assembly • Members were elected by universal male suffrage every 6 years • Opposition candidates had greater freedom • Returned control of secondary education to the state (took control away from the Church) • In response Pope Pius IX issued the Syllabus of Errors condemning Liberalism

35. Political Reforms continued • 1864 Permitted trade Unions and allowed them to strike • Eased censorship • Amnesty to political prisoners • Supported better housing • Supported credit unions • Regulated pawn shops

36. Foreign Policy was Napoleon III’s downfall • Sent French Troops to rescue and restore Pope Pius IX when he was driven out in 1848 • Was supported by conservatives • Was condemned by liberals • Involvement in Crimean War • Angered Republicans and Liberals • Imperialism in Africa also a divisive factor • Liberals condemned and conservatives supported

37. Foreign Policy continued • Many of Napoleon III’s liberal reforms were designed to draw attention away from divisive foreign policy • The Franco-Prussian War (1870-71) and Napoleon III’s capture will result in the end of the Second Empire