The Congress System

1. The Congress System The Concert of Europe

2. The Congress of Vienna • 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

3. Metternich and Austrians Aims • 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

4. The Legacy of the French Revolution: Liberalism and Nationalism • 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

5. Why were these ideas dangerous? • 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

6. The Final Result of the Conference • 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”

7. The Ultimate goal! • 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?

9. The History of the Congress System • 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

10. The Congress System falls apart • 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)

11. The Lesson of the Day • 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

12. France in the 19th century • 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