Chapter 20: Conservative Order and Challenges of Reform Flashcards
Characteristics of Nationalism
Most powerful ideology of 19th and early 20th century Europe. Based on the concept that a nation is composed of people who share language, common customs, culture and history and should be administered by the same government.
Nationalism’s conflict with principles of the Congress of Vienna
Nationalism opposed the idea that the Congress of Vienna had about monarchies or dynasties provided the basis for political unity.
Difficulties of Nationalism
Because nationalism believed in national sovereignty (majority rules), confusion and conflict erupted due to the presence of minorities, because they would always be underrepresented.
Regions of 19th century nationalistic pressures
- Ireland (independence from Britain)
- Austrian Empire (Germans critiqued its multi-national structure)
- Italian Peninsula (sought to unify Italian-speaking people)
- Poland (wanted to establish an independent nation from Russia)
- Central and Eastern Europe (Hungarians, Czechs, and Slovenes sought independence and/or formal recognition)
- Balkan peninsula (Serbs, Greeks, Albanian, Romanians, and Bulgarians sought independence from the Ottomans)
Definition of Liberals according to Conservatives
Almost anyone or anything that challenged their own political, social, or religion values
Political goals of 19th century liberals
Sought to establish a political framework for legal equality, religious toleration and freedom of press. This structure would limit arbitrary power of government against citizens. Though these wants were mainly expressed through elective representative bodies, liberals did not necessarily advocate democracy.
19th century liberals and the origins of their ideas
Academic intellectuals, usually wealthy, who achieved their status through merit as opposed to birth. Sources of inspiration included the Enlightenment, the British model, and the Revolutionary Principles of 1789
Economic goals of 19th century liberals
Sought to abolish economic restraints of mercantilism and regulated economics. Wanted to manufacture and sell goods freely, and remove international tariffs and internal trade barriers. Advocated for representation of propertied classes → This brought a new concept of privilege based on wealth and property as opposed to birth.
Major pillars of 19th century conservatism
Legitimate monarchies, landed aristocracies and established churches
Klemmens von Metternich
- Austrian prince who epitomized 19th century conservatism.
- He acted as the leader of the Vienna Settlement.
- Also led the German Confederation to prevent constitutionalism.
- Used the incidents of Karl Sand to persuade people away from “dangerous liberalism.”
- Persuaded major German states to issue the Carlsbad Decrees to dissolve the Burshenschaftens and provided university inspectors and press censors.
Burschenschaftens
Students association that wanted to replace old provincial attachments with with loyalty to the concept of a united German state.
The Spa Field Riots
December 1816. Mass protest meeting exhibiting public disorder and discontent with Parliament. Results in Parliament passing the Coercion Acts of March 1817 which suspended habeas corpus (the reviewing of legality of arrests in court) and extended laws against seditious gatherings.
The Peterloo Massacre
August 16, 1819. Local leadership orders royal troops to move in on a meeting. 11 people are shot.
The Six Acts
December 1819.
1) Forbade large unauthorized public meetings
2) Raised fines for seditious libel (rebellious statements)
3) Sped up trials of political agitators so that there would not be an adequate amount of time for defense
4) Increased newspaper taxes
5) Prohibited training of armed groups
6) Allowed local officials to search homes
Major Powers of Congress of Vienna
Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain
