Joel Flores, Group #9: 2004 Exam

1. Joel Flores, Group #9: 2004 Exam Thematic Essay: Analyze the shifts in the European balance of power in the period between 1763 and 1848. Critical Trigger Words: Analyze (show trends), Shifts (Def. transitions), Balance of Power = (Specific nationalist agendas between major European nations during this time frame) Two Step Direction Phrase: Focus on the shifts of power that occur in many major European nations. Do not forget to analyze how these shifts of power will play a greater role for early nineteenth century Europe. Make sure to name check what is going on in: Brit, Russ, and Fran.

2. Introduction:

3. Introduction: In terms of shifting relative power around Europe, it can be presumed that Britain became the most powerful nation during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Its ability to incorporate liberal policies through the Great Reform Bill and the Catholic Emancipation Act. In addition, its economic success through advances in industrialization of machinery and a steady supply of natural and material resources, attest to its power. On the other hand, Russia can be seen as having become the least powerful nation at the time; tsar Nicholas I's complete suppression of nationalistic and liberal ideals through programs such as, the Official Nationality. Nicholas I's failure to modernize the Russian economy was due to a strict policy of establishing minimal reform, straying away far from Catherine the Great's Enlightened Despotism. The most radical overall shift in power could be seen in France, under Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule. France became the strongest nation in terms of territorial expansion. However, all of this was lost at the Congress of Vienna, causing France to end the eighteenth century with losing much of the prosperity it gained under Napoleon’s reign. France never gained the vast amount of wealth that was seen in Britain, but it was also never as weak as Russia.

4. Body One:

5. Body One: During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries England its prime politically and economically through exploitation. The Catholic Emancipation Act in 1829 is an example of how Britain strained relations with Ireland, leading to a fear of rebellion. Catholics were now able to become members of Parliament such as, Irishman Danial O' Connell. This is significant because Britain only took these drastic steps in order to resist any kind of rebellion and strengthen its bond with Ireland. Britain was able to quell any resistance from the Irish without having to use any military forces, allowing them to stay as Europe’s greatest power at this time. The Great Reform Bill in 1832 expanded the size of the English electorate significantly in order to appease unrepresented property owners. Thus, Britain was successful in helping its own people and maintaining strength within. Economically, Britain used its natural resources, growing food supply, social structure allowing mobility, and strong domestic and foreign demand for goods made it the dominating force of Europe. The use of industrialized machinery allowed materials to be produced quickly and cheaply, bringing trade from Latin America and the United States. Britain had a strong position in Europe where other countries could never reach. They were powerful enough to lead the industries of the Continent, through their economic advancement. Britain maintained its own power throughout these centuries, making the shift in power negative for other nations such as, Russia.

6. Body Two:

7. Body Two: Throughout centuries, Russian Monarchs had a history of rejecting liberal and nationalistic ideas. However, Catherine the Great was an exception to this because under her, a few provinces of the Ottomans and Poland were gained by military force. There was small political reforms, such as the Charter of the Nobility, which guaranteed certain rights to nobles. This did not do much to strengthen Russia internally or economically because serfdom still existed, and she was still a supporter of autocratic power. However, nineteenth century Russia under Nicholas I was strong and conservative in terms of monarchical rule because he believed his power should be overarching. Nicholas I Promoted the slogan of "Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationalism," that led Russia in the Crimean War. Nicholas I would be considered a sole power, and Russian support of the regime was expected. This is significant because people were disappointed with the Russian government leading to less support from it. Russia’s internal stability was starting to weaken on all front because the government could not work efficiently enough. A contributing factory to Russia’s problems was not becoming open minded to other forms of government that had worked better in other nations like, Britain. Economically, Russia did not improve because Nicholas I did not like change because it would have undermined his power. He was aware of the failing serf system, but did not remove it because to him it would be to disastrous. Thus, nothing was done to make the Russian economy better especially with the serf system still in place. During this time period, Russia does not gain much power and only acquires small territories, remaining politically and economically weak. Being the direct opposite of Britain, Russia’s shift in power came for the worst digressing instead of advancing.

8. Body Three:

9. Body Three: Early nineteenth century France experienced the second wave of the French Revolution where a military leader would rise to take charge. Napoleon Bonaparte became Napoleon I, Emperor of France, in 1804 rapidly changing and improving France. He established the Napoleonic Code, which safeguarded private property. This is significant because it helped out France's economy, increased the skills of workers, and abolished serfdom, which was economically inadequate. At the height of France's power, Napoleon had taken over various Prussian, Austrian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian territories, and set up members of his family to rule in his place. However, At the height of France’s power shifting, Napoleon was defeated by Britain in the Battle of Trafalgar, ending his efforts to take over. The Battle of Leipzig ended with Napoleon's defeat, causing him to abdicated to Elba. The Congress of Vienna gave a boundary settlement, taking away large parts of the land that France acquire. Even with the power of France diminished elements of the Napoleonic Code continued to exist in French law. France was not the largest empire it was under Napoleon, but was still stronger then Russia’s weak government, and was able to remain with a good amount of territory. It was still a stable country at the end of Napoleon’s rule. With early nineteenth century France under Napoleon, Power had shifted for the better and worse. Napoleon permanently impacted France’s shifts of power radically because there will continue to be nationalistic and liberal revolts on a small scale after the Bourbon Restoration.

10. Conclusion:

11. Conclusion: • The shifting of European Powers through 1763 and 1848 impacted the nations of Britain, Russia, and France greatly for the better and the worse. Britain maintaining dominant power in Europe resulted directly from their trade system. Russia’s power shifted for the worse due to the tsar government refusing to establish helpful reforms. France suffered great lose as well as success in power under Napoleon’s rule during the French Revolution. These changing powers in Europe would later come to the result of The Revolutions of 1848,where all major nations were greatly impacted and changed. These changes in power will also lead to the Crimean War in 1853, where Russia was greatly impacted under Nicholas I’s rule. The shifts of power in Britain, Russia, and France paved the way for the many changes that will come to Europe in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

12. Miscellaneous: • This essay can be broken into three parts: • Demonstrate Britain's advances that lead to it becoming the leading major European power (trade domination, Parliament reforms…) • Demonstrate Russia’s failure to achieve a stronger nation under the tsar regime of Nicholas I (tsar’s slogan “Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationalism”…) • Demonstrate how Napoleon was able to rise France to glory then let it diminish in power after losing in war. (Napoleonic Codes, Battle of Leipzig…) • REMIMBER!!!! 1763-1848 = A nationalist period in European nations, demanding for a change (Hence:The Revolutions of 1848 etc.)