Conservatism, Romanticism and Revolution

1. Conservatism, Romanticism and Revolution -Key Concepts-

2. I. Some Qualifications of the “Dual Revolution” • Triumph of this revolution was by no means certain • Not some gigantic, historical steamroller • The influence of regional, cultural variance • The Old Regime was very capable of defending its privileges • The tremendous intellectual challenge of the “Dual Revolution”

3. II. Reaction to Revolution: Conservatism

4. A. A “Natural Order of Society” • Conservatism as a 19th century ideology • Edmund Burke as the leading spokesman • Society is the partnership of the living, the dead and the yet to be born

5. A. A “Natural Order of Society” (cont) • Civilization depends upon continuity and order • Special privileges to higher classes to maintain social order • Openness to gradual change

6. B. Growing Distrust of Reason • Foundation for the emergence of romanticism • Essence of human experience is subjective and emotional • Human knowledge is a puny thing compared to other great historical forces • Society is an organic whole not suitable to piecemeal reform • “Individual Rights” are dangerous efforts at selfishness—community is more important

7. C. Fascination with History and Christian Philosophy • People and society are not abstractions divorced from historical settings • History is a stabilizing force for an unstable society • The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars were evidence of human sin—man is not good by nature • The fear of God is a good way to curb man’s sin

8. D. A “Special Home” in Germany • Reaction against Napoleon’s conquests • Liberalism and Nationalism represented an extreme threat for Germany and Austria • Quadruple Alliance: Austria, Prussia, Russia and Great Britain • This Alliance was interested in providing stability in all of Europe in the wake of the French Revolution

9. E. Conservatism in Action: The Congress of Vienna • European Peace Conference, 1814-1815 • Symbol of Aristocratic Resurgence • Conservatism Embodied: Austria’s Metternich • Hates both liberalism and nationalism

10. E. The Congress of Vienna (cont) • The importance of the “Balance of Power” in European Politics • Compromise with Revolution • Growing conservatism: 1820’s and 1830’s -- “Peterloo Massacre” (1819)

11. III. The German Confederation • Foolish to restore the Holy Roman Empire • Sign of rising German nationalism • 38 German states presided over by Austria • Basic constitutional framework with representative assembly meeting in Frankfurt • University Repression --Carlsbad Decrees (1819)

12. IV. The Romantic Movement • Began in 1790’s and peaked in 1820’s • A movement of northern Europe, especially Great Britain and Germany • Complex and varied movement • A reaction against classicism

13. A. Romantic Themes • Rejected rigid artistic laws and ancient artistic rules • Feelings and imagination as valid, if not more valid, than reason and order • Individuals have unique, endless potential

14. A. Romantic Themes (cont) • Self-realization comes through art—Artists are the true philosophers • Inclined to extremes • Drawn to danger and adventure • Rejection of traditional society

15. A. Romantic Themes (cont) • Suicide and madness not uncommon • Rejected materialism in pursuit of spiritual heights • Yearned for the unknown and the unknowable • Nature was both wild and awe-inspiring

16. A. Romantic Themes (cont) • Fascinated by color and diversity • History is the art of change over time • The uniqueness of cultures was emphasized

17. A. Romantic Themes (cont) • In rejecting society, romantics found a wide variety of escapes • Loved the world of children—spontaneity and their sense of wonder • Special focus on the fantastic and unusual

18. B. Romantic Literature • Main genre: poetry • William Wordsworth (1770-1850) and Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772-1834) • Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) • Johann Goethe (1749-1832)

19. B. Romantic Literature (cont) • Victor Hugo (1802-1885) • Mary Shelley (1797-1851) --Frankenstein • George Sand (1804-1876)

20. C. Romantic Music (cont) • Free expression and emotional intensity realized most fully in music • Music became a sublime end in itself • Ludwig von Beethoven (1770-1827)

21. B. Romantic Music (cont) • Chopin and melancholy, exultation and dreaminess in his music • Wagner’s operas were wild, earth-shaking, fantastic and extreme

22. D. The “Romantic Hero” • Definition • Greatest Example: Lord Byron • Tremendously popular among the European reading public • Youth imitated his haughtiness and rebelliousness

23. E. Political Implications • Romanticism could reinforce the great themes of political liberalism --Beethoven’s Third Symphony • Romanticism could also reinforce the great themes of political conservatism

24. E. Political Implications (cont) • Contributed to growing nationalism --Johann Herder and “historicism” --The “volk”. • Relationship of liberalism to nationalism • Romanticism: the great paradox

25. V. Nationalism: A Growing Threat to Conservative Empires • The nature of the Austro-Hungarian Empire --Hapsburg Monarchy • Nationalism within the German Confederation • Prussia: Focus on Pan-Germanic Hopes

26. V. Nationalism as a Threat (cont) • The Hohenzollern Dynasty and Frederick William III • “Big” Germany or “Little” Germany? • Italian Nationalism --Joseph Mazzini --Young Italy Movement

27. VI. Revolution in the 1830’s • An explosive mix: liberalism and nationalism • Revolution in Paris Again • King Louis-Philippe • Reform in Great Britain --Reform Bill of 1832 • Conservatism “on the run”

28. VII. Revolutions in 1848 • Paris, Again -- “June Days” • Shock waves spread over Europe • Prussia and Austria • Celebration in the streets • Disunity: The Revolutionary failure • Return of a “new” Conservatism

29. VIII. The Modernization of Western Governments after 1848 • State-focused politics • Public opinion now taken into account • Alliance with nationalism and the middle class • The Process in Action --Prussia --The Dual Monarchy of Austria and Hungary --The “Ringstrasse”

30. VIII. Modernization of Western Governments (cont) • A changing concept of economic and political liberalism • Narrow and selfish for some • Broad and humane for others --John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859)