In 1815, after the Napoleonic Wars ended, the great powers of Europe gathered in Vienna and created a new international order. This was the Concert of Europe. This system sought to suppress liberalism and nationalism, but it later began to collapse as revolutions broke out in various regions.
The Congress of Vienna and the Principle of Legitimacy
The Congress of Vienna, held from September 1814 to June 1815, was led by Austrian Chancellor Klemens von Metternich. Its principles were legitimacy—restoring the legitimate dynasties and borders that had existed before the French Revolution—and the balance of power—equalizing the strength of countries so that no single country would become dominant. The Bourbon dynasty was restored in France, and the old dynasties returned in Spain and Portugal. In the German lands, the Holy Roman Empire was not restored; instead, the German Confederation was formed, consisting of 35 monarchies and 4 free cities.
Organizer: Metternich (Austrian chancellor)
Two principles: Legitimacy (restoration of the old order) and balance of power (equalization of power)
Organizations maintaining it: Holy Alliance (Russia, Prussia, and Austria; solidarity among Christian monarchs) and Quadruple Alliance (Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria)
Germany: The Holy Roman Empire was not restored → the German Confederation was formed
The Holy Alliance and the Suppression of Liberalism
At the proposal of Russian Emperor Alexander I, the Holy Alliance was established as a pact of solidarity among the Christian monarchs of Russia, Prussia, and Austria. As a result, liberal and nationalist movements in various countries were suppressed as “rebellions against order.” Metternich controlled freedom of speech in Austria, and student movements in various parts of Germany, including the Burschenschaften, were also suppressed. Revolutions broke out in Spain, Greece, and southern Italy in the 1820s, but many were put down through intervention by the great powers. However, the Greek War of Independence (1821-1829) succeeded with support from Britain, France, and Russia, and Greece was recognized as independent from the Ottoman Empire in 1829.
Practice
- Who was the Austrian chancellor who led the Congress of Vienna?
- What were the two basic principles of the Concert of Europe?
- What was the name of the political organization established in the German lands under the Concert of Europe?