19th Century Flashcards
When and what was the Treaty of Westphalia?
- It established the European state system. All states recognised each other’s internal sovereignty in their territory and undertook not to intervene. Wars were still ‘normal’ and frequent.
Why is 1815 a good starting point? How successful was what transpired?
The Great European Powers made the first attempt to establish rules for states to avoid conflict at the Conference of Vienna. Quite successful, with no wars between the Great Powers from 1815-1854 and no pan-European wars until 1914.
What was the pattern of international relations in Europe before 1815?
1 state tended to dominate, first Austria, then Spain, then France, posing as the “defender of Christendom” in Europe against the likes of the Ottoman Empire. After this, Britain, Russia and Prussia arose due to their developing navies and so a balance of power was created. In 1789, Napoleons lead a French Revolution, conquering all Powers except Britain, this stimulated national resistance across Europe, leading to unification of Italy and Germany.
What contributed to the congress system?
After a coalition of GB, R, Pr and A defeated Napoleon they agreed that a) no 1 state should dominate Europe, b) revolutions like the French one should be repressed with old leaders restored and c) that conflicts of that nature should be avoided in the future. Subsequently, in 1814-15 there was a congress in Vienna to formalise this.
Which leaders attended the congress of Vienna?
Austria - Metternich, GB - Castlereagh, France - Talleyrand, Prussia - von Hardenburg, Russia - Alexander I.
What were the principles of the settlement?
A) The Great Powers (including France) must assume leadership in Europe and approve all territorial changes, B) “a real and permanent balance of power” must be created, redistributed territory to satisfy all powers (e.g. Austria loses Belgium but gains overlordship of Italy), C) Powers must regularly meet to address issues/conflicts (7 congresses and 17 conferences in 1815-1885).
What was Kissenger’s view on the settlement?
It was good, unlike the Treaty of Versailles because the were no utopian ideas of harmony, no plans to punish/destroy the defeated power, sensible - about balance and diplomacy.
Who provides an alternative explanation of the settlement to Kissenger and on what grounds?
Anderson, as peace was only achieved between the Great Powers (with several smaller wars occurring) and even this was only due to exhaustion from fighting Napoleon. He also argued that such a settlement could only be temporary as conservatism and permanent balance we unsustainable.
List some of the challenges the Great Powers faced in keeping peace.
- Disagreement because A, Pr and R were more conservative than GB and F. 2. Liberal rebellions in Spain, Belgium, Poland and Ireland lead to 1848 being known as the year of revolutions. 3. The Eastern Question - powers had a duty to support Turkey (in the interests of balance) but some Powers couldn’t resist supporting rebellion there; the Crimean War occurred when A, Fr and GB decided R had gone too far. 4. Italian unification. 5. German unification.
How did the congress system succeed in 1878?
Russia liberated too large a part of Bulgaria from Turkey and so at the Congress of Berlin, other Powers ordered it to step back.
What did the congress system fail to avert?
The Crimean War. Also, only one minor conference was held regarding German unification and none at all regarding Italian unification.
How was solidarity between Powers weakened? What was the outcome?
The Crimean war meant a breach between Austria and Russia. In the Franco-Prussian war, Germany won Alsace-Lorraine off France; salt was rubbed in their wounds when the proclamation of this was made in Versailles. Economic and geopolitical rivalries intensified competition which meant empire building.
Explain the main variants in imperialism?
Formal - legal control of territory, informal - more general dependency. Land-based - e.g. Austria and Russia, overseas - e.g. Britain and France.
How much land did the Great Powers colonise at the end of the 19th century?
25% of the world and 90% of Africa.
What were the differences between the Powers in the intentions of their empires?
France sought eventual assimilation (to basically make other territories a part of France), Britain sought to create eventually self-governing dominions (e.g. Canada).
