Chapter 5 – Reaction to Revolution

1. Chapter 5 – Reaction to Revolution

2. What major tasks faced the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)? • The Congress of Vienna was a peace conference and its challenge was to remake the map of Europe. They had to maintain some means of maintaining peace security after Napoleon attempt to extend French influence over the continent. They needed to create a balance of power. This would prevent any one power from taking over its neighbors. Finally, the Congress sought to maintain domestic security against the threats of nationalism and liberalism.

3. Why was France included in the Congress meeting? • By including a French representative, the Congress ensured a longer period of stability. While the French did not have a commanding position in the Congress, they were involved in drawing a new map of Europe. Also, in involving the French, the Congress showed its support of the new monarch in France.

4. Why did liberals view the Congress settlement as reactionary? • Since the Congress was dominated by the restoration of traditional conservative policies, liberals were unimpressed. The Congress attempted to restore legitimate heads of state (monarchies or constitutional monarchies) as well as the rights of the aristocracy.

5. Explain the conditions of the settlement with regard to the French government and its territory. • The Congress wanted a government and boundaries in France that would not threaten the rest of Europe. The Bourbon monarchy was restored (Louis XVIII). He agreed to compromise between royalists and republicans, which would be necessary considering the political climate in the country. He introduced a constitutional charter. The German states needed to be organized because alone, each was too weak to withstand stronger empires. The 300 German states were reduced to 39 and power was balanced between Austria and Prussia.

6. Explain the importance of central Europe to the peace and stability of Europe. How did the Congress hope to maintain a balance of power in Europe? • The Congress hoped to maintain a balance of power in central Europe by reducing the number of German states and by reaffirming the significance of the German Confederation. Small states were simply too vulnerable to the larger empires. Therefore, the Austrian Empire and Prussia were involved in the reorganization of the German states. This was to prevent invasion by France from the west and by Russia from the east.

7. Why did the Congress participantschange their attitude toward France after Napoleon’s “Hundred Days”? Why is this issue significant in the context of peace and stability in Europe? What was the resolution of this issue? • Napoleon gained quite a bit of support after his escape and this threatened the representatives at the Congress of Vienna. This proved that peace could not be guaranteed and that a specific plan had to be put into place in order to ensure stability. The issue was resolved by pushing back French borders to pre-revolutionary days. Also, France was required to return all art treasures taken during the wars and to pay an indemnity of 700 MILLION francs. France also had to fund occupation forces stationed on its eastern border for five years to prove its commitment to peace.

8. Explain the issue which was central to the Polish-Saxon questions. Why is this issue significant in the context of peace and stability in Europe? What was the resolution of this issue? • The Polish –Saxon question dealt with the attempted expansion of Russia and Prussia. Russia wanted to recreate the Kingdom of Poland and suggested that he become its constitutional ruler. Prussia agreed as long as Saxony went to Prussia. Of course, British and Austrian representatives (Castlereagh and Metternich) opposed and were fearful.

9. This issue was significant in the stability of the continent because it signaled western expansion on the part of Russia and a stronger Prussian presence in central Europe. Because neither side was willing to concede, Talleyrand (F), Metternich (A) and Castlereagh (B) signed a treaty agreeing to use force if Russia or Prussia tried to expand. This led to a compromise in which Russia created Congress Poland, which was to be governed by a Russian grand duke. Also, Prussia took only two fifths of Saxony and left the rest to the king of Saxony.

10. Explain the significance of the Hapsburg Empire in the attempts to establish a balance of power in Europe. • The Hapsburg Empire was at the geographical center in Europe and parts of its holdings bordered on all of the other empires. It prevented French expansion in the Italian peninsula, German expansion from the north and Russian aspirations in the Balkans. Metternich was at the head of an extremely conservative empire and these conservative policies were credited in the maintenance of stability in Europe.

11. Compare and contrast the objectives of the Quadruple and Holy Alliances. Which agreement do you think would be the most effective? Why? • The Holy Alliance was proposed by Alexander I (R) and required governments to operate by Christian principles. Austria and Prussia agreed to join Russia, but Great Britain would not. • The Quadruple Alliance, on the other hand, was established to maintain the status quo in Europe. The participants (Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain) agreed to act together to defeat any state that threatened the stability of the continent. • They would also work together in suppressing attempts to overthrow legitimate rulers or changes in borders.

12. What were the Carlsbad Decrees and how were they used? • The Carlsbad Decrees came in reaction to the spreading ideas about liberalism and nationalism in the German states in the early 19th C. • These ideas threatened the conservative heads of state - Metternich felt that action was needed before the ideas resulted in a real challenge. • Student organizations were dissolved and strict censorship was imposed.

13. Explain how the unrest in Spain and Sicily in 1820 threatened the status quo. • Questioned the legitimacy of the Bourbon kings. • The Congress had appointed these Kings and a constitution had been given to the people. • The Bourbon kings were not ruling according to the constitution and this enraged those who opposed an absolute monarchy.

14. What was the Troppau Protocol and how did this agreement affect the relationship of the major powers? • Called for the international order to band together against the disruptive forces of nationalist or liberal revolts. • Created a rift between the conservative powers (Austria, Prussia and Russia), who were determined to maintain the old order, and the liberal powers (England, France), who refused to agree to the Protocol. • Eventually led to the withdrawal of Britain from the Congress system.

15. Why are the years 1815 to 1848 referred to as the Age of Metternich? Explain what this term meant. • Europe was dominated by conservative policies created by Austria’s foreign minister Metternich. • Severe repression and censorship were introduced in an attempt to maintain conservative order. • Citizens could not criticize their monarch or any other monarchy in Europe without punishment. The government was extremely powerful and had many spies to ensure cooperation.

16. Explain the conflict which occurred between Russia, Greece, and Turkey in 1828. Outline the terms of the Treaty of Adrianople and explain their significance to the international community. • Russia had interests in the Balkans for territorial and cultural reasons. When Greeks revolted against Ottoman rule in 1821, they were quickly defeated. • Greek nationalists tried again in 1828, Nicolas I declared war on the Ottoman Empire. Opened door to Russian expansion in the area. • 1829 - Treaty of Adrianople forced Turkey to recognize Greek independence, allowed Russia control of the area at the mouth of the Danube River and declared the Rumanian province a Russian protectorate. • The Ottoman Empire was weakened and the question over control of the straits and the eastern Mediterranean became prominent.

17. Briefly describe the economic concerns which plagued France prior to the revolution of 1830. • After experiencing decent economic growth from 1815 to 1826, France’s economy met with some difficulty. • international economy was depressed • French goods were hard to trade • harvest failures • High tariffs made it difficult to trade wine. This led to a wine surplus and resulted in layoffs.

18. Explain the results of the revolution of 1830 in France. How did this uprising affect the Congress settlement and what effect did it have on the rest of Europe? • Two groups threatened the Bourbon monarch in France: the bourgeoisie and radical intellectuals (made up of workers and students). • Charles X fled to England and Louis-Philippe, a soldier and a Bourbon, was chosen to become King. • This uprising affected the Congress settlement because it proved to be a successful revolution. • Charles X was a legitimate head of state according to the Congress. Also, this rebellion sparked civil disturbances elsewhere in Europe.

19. Explain the issue which caused an uprising in the Netherlands in 1830. • The Congress united Belgium and the Netherlands. The union was economically beneficial, but Belgium was used to autonomy. They were not used to this type of union and rebelled. When disturbances broke out, the King responded with force. At this, the Belgians declared their independence.

20. Why would the major powers guarantee Belgian neutrality in 1839? • They guaranteed Belgium neutrality because of its unique position. It was a coastal country and was in striking distance of all of the major powers except for Russia. They probably wanted to contain the damage that this revolution had already caused.

21. Describe the situation in Poland in 1830. • Poland was an independent kingdom before the Congress of Vienna and was frustrated at having to be under Russian rule. • Poland revolted in 1830 • Though the Poles experienced some success in repelling Russian forces, they could not defeat them completely. • Nicholas I was extremely oppressive and many Poles were deported.

22. Briefly describe the social and economic issues which led to revolutionary upheaval in Europe in 1848. • Revolutions occurred in France, Poland, Italy, Hungary, Austria, and the German States. • Social and Economic Issues • liberals questioned the divine rights of royalty • nationalists questioned the authority of foreign rulers • poor harvests – higher food prices, shortages of bread for urban workers, famine • Industrialization – workers are oppressed, conditions are poor • New ideas – Marx publishes the Communist Manifesto

23. List the four stages which the revolutions of 1848 seemed to follow in their attempts to impose change. • Four Phases of the Revolutions of 1848 • The upheaval began with a demand by students, workers, middle class liberals, and nationalists for reform. • The established regime was petitioned to grant a constitution or national independence. • Reform failed to materialize. • Fighting broke out.

24. Why did the revolutions of 1848 fail to implement lasting change? What were the results of these revolutions? • The revolutions failed to implement lasting change because though regimes introduced reforms, they were not significant reforms. In many cases, they were temporary. Also, after the defeat of the revolutionaries, regimes were often more repressive than before. Nationalist and liberal movements were not ready to demand real change. Communication was poor and there was little unity.