Transcript The Congress System

The Concert of Europe
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In November 1814, Kings, Princes
and Ambassadors from all over
Europe met to decide the fate of
the continent
After 20 years of warfare and the
awesome changes made by
napoleon, Europe was left in a
confused and disorganized state
Initially, the congress was a
complete failure as each of the
participants competed for power
and territory
However, with the escape of
Napoleon from Elba, everyone
decided to work together
It was a great success and all the
participants were able to agree
on the major points
The Congress was led by Austrian
Prince Klemens von Metternich
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Prince Metternich was, by all
accounts, a “snake” and a
womanizer.
However, he was
exceptionally intelligent and
understood that the congress
should not be about “who got
what.”
Rather, it should be about
protecting Europe from future
revolution
The congress was full of
people who benefited from
the “old order” – people who
wanted to resist the change
that the enlightenment
demanded
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Liberalism: Most of the
Enlightenment can fit into this
theory. It means maximizing
individual human rights.
Governments must respect the
natural rights of people.
Nationalism: A belief that people
of similar race, culture, history or
religion should be politically
unified. It stressed pride in your
own group, loyalty and
conforming to national goals.
Both of these concepts were well
developed in France during the
French Revolution
Then, Napoleon’s conquests
spread these ideas all over Europe
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Metternich realized that these ideas would
eventually cause the downfall of European
Monarchies
Liberalism challenges a kings right to rule. A
king could no longer be all powerful.
Nationalism would break apart the
Multinational Empires of Europe
Austria, Russia and Great Britain all contained
multiple nationalities . . . Each of wish would
want their own country
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The map was re-drawn after much discussion
However, the real result was the agreement of all the
participants that Nationalism and Liberalism should
be crushed
These ideas were to be made illegal, there was to be
severe repression and restriction all over Europe
Finally, they formed alliances that agreed to invade
any nation where a Liberal or Nationalist revolution
was starting
Eg. The Holy Alliance (Austria, Prussia, Russia) and
the Quadripul Alliance (Austria, Prussia, Russia, and
Great Britain)
This is known as the “Concert of Europe”
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The congress system, in effect, was an attept
to turn back the clock
To pretend the Enlightenment, French
Revolution and Napoleon never happened
Question: do you think the congress system
ever had a chance of success?
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The Congress system was successful at first
Austria created and enforced the “Carlbad
Decrees” in the German confederation
These laws repressed nationalism and
liberalism and made political ‘clubs” illegal
Mostly attacked university students
The King of Spain was saved from Revolution
by the French Army
The Austrian Army crushed a revolution in
Portugal
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It all starts with the Greek nationalist rebellion
against the Ottoman Empire – the Europeans
could not bring themselves to support Muslims
against Christians
Also, national rivalries eventually get in the way.
By the late 19th Century, several wars lead to the
failure of the congress system (Crimean War,
Italian and German Wars of Unification)
By the End of the 19th century, the concert of
Europe had been replaced by the Alliance system
(Triple Alliance vs. Triple Entente)
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The Concert of Europe does prevent
successful Nationalist and Liberal revolutions
In the end, these ideas were simply not
powerful enough to overthrow the “old order”
Even after the congress system fails, there are
no more successful revolutions like the ones
in USA or France
However, these ideas do not go away and
help contribute to major political changes
that take place after the congress system has
fallen apart
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Louis 18th ruled France with a constitution and a parliament –
his reign was quite successful
Louis the 18th was replaced by his brother, Charles the 10th
Charles wished to restore absolutism
The people rebelled again and Charles was overthrown
He was replaced by Louis Philippe, who re-established the
constitution and parliament
Louis Philippe was ousted in 1848 and replaced by democracy
The French people elected Louis Napoleon Bonaparte
(Napoleon’s Nephew)
He became France’s first president, but then made himself
emperor
He led France during an age of prosperity and he broke the
terms imposed on France at the congress of Vienna
He also undermined the congress system by supporting
nationalist movements around Europe
He made France a world power again by conquering new
colonies and pursuing aggressive foreign relations
He was attempting to extend the policies of his uncle (to be as
great as his uncle)
Louis Napoleon was also politically liberal and gave rights to his
people.
He was overthrown after a major French military defeat
France returned to democracy