Congress+of+Vienna

Describe the ways in which conservative political and social views shaped the peace settlement of the Congress of Vienna. Explain the consequences of the peace settlement for the period 1815 - 1848.

By: Melody Huang :[

Thesis: The conservative belief that change was to be inhibited led to the attempted restoration of absolute monarchies in many countries throughout Europe, only to set the foundation for the rise of socialism and a growing division between the middle and working classes.

What was Conservatism anyway? -__-
 * Social Views**
 * Edmund Burke: Against violent overthrow of government by revolution
 * Sudden change is bad, but gradual/evolutionary improvements is good
 * Joseph de Maistre: Counterrevolutionary and authoritarian conservatism
 * Restoration of Hereditary monarchy
 * Divinely Sanctioned institution
 * Only absolute monarchy could bring order to society and avoid chaos like French Revolution
 * General beliefs: Obedience to political authority, organized religion = crucial to social order, no revolutionary upheavals, no liberal demands or representative governments
 * Community > Personal Rights

Peace Settlement: Formed after the defeat of Napoleon in France, French Revolutionary Wars, and dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire
 * Political Views**
 * Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia = Four Major Enemies
 * Became known as the Quadruple Alliance
 * Restored the Bourbon monarchy in France (Louis XVIII)
 * All 5 powers (France + Quadruple Alliance) met together in congress at Vienna - September 1814
 * Congress primarily led by Klemens von Metternich
 * Metternich = Arrogant jerk who was extremely talented (really conceited)
 * Principle of Legitimacy = Necessary to restore legitimate monarchs who would preserve traditional institutions
 * Hoped to find balance of power (Power of Equilibrium)
 * Balance in military and political forces to make sure that no one country could dominate Europe
 * Established defensive barriers against possible French expansion
 * Criticized for being too one sided
 * Hoped to prevent revolutionary forces

Concert of Europe: Principle of Intervention -- Other Movements Rising: Influence after World Wars:
 * Results/Consequences**
 * Creation of the Quintuple Alliance:Withdrew army from France and to add France to Concert of Europe
 * Second Congress = Talked about revolts
 * Metternich introduced Principle of Intervention to crush revolts
 * British people refused to agree with this (Believed that only the revolts that threatened peace of Europe should be intervened)
 * Ignored by Austria, Prussia, and Russia and sent Austrian troops to Naples, restoring Ferdinand I to the thronee
 * Caused the end of Concert of Europe when British rejected this principle
 * Latin America (Monroe Doctrine + British fleet worked to oppose intervention)
 * Greek Revolt - Greeks received a German king (Successful revolt, as the great powers supported the rebellion)
 * Nationalism
 * Socialism
 * Liberalism
 * While the Congress of Vienna died after the start of World War I, it later served as a model for...
 * League of Nations
 * United Nations