European History in the 1820s

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Questions and Answers

Which event gave a strong blow to the Vienna order by the end of the 1820s?

The struggle between liberal and conservative principles

The events in the former Spanish colonies in Latin America

The Greek independence (correct)

The revolution of 1848

What was Britain actively engaged in during the 1830s?

Preserving the Vienna order

Promoting liberal reforms (correct)

Encouraging revolutionary tension

Supporting conservative principles

What did Austria aim to preserve by military means if needed?

National unification in Italy

Liberal reforms

Britain's engagement in promoting liberal reforms

The Vienna order (correct)

What did Greece's independence emphasize?

Ottoman weakness Signup and view all the answers

What did Muhammad Ali's efforts confirm about the Ottoman Empire?

The image of Ottoman fragility ('the sick man of Europe') Signup and view all the answers

What decision at the Congress of Vienna laid the foundations for Austria/Prussia’s antagonism for hegemony over Germany?

Creating a German confederation of 36 states Signup and view all the answers

Who was offered the crown of German Emperor by the revolutionary parliament convened in Frankfurt in 1849?

King of Prussia, Frederick Wilhelm IV Signup and view all the answers

What were the two programs for the unification of Germany looming between?

Prussia and Austria Signup and view all the answers

What event marked the completion of the German unification process?

The Franco-Prussian war in 1870 Signup and view all the answers

What characterized the relationship between Austria and Prussia after the 1866 defeat?

Austrian re-orientation of interests to the Ottoman Balkans Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of Bismarck's 'system' developed in three phases?

To preserve the status quo in Europe and isolate France Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for the collapse of the Dreikaiserbund?

Serbo-Bulgarian war Signup and view all the answers

What significant event marked the third phase of Bismarck's 'system'?

The highly secret Reinsurance treaty Signup and view all the answers

What was the key factor that led to the formation of the future Triple Entente?

Shared fear of German hegemony over Europe Signup and view all the answers

What were crucial elements in the path that led to World War I?

Growing competition among the European powers both in Europe and outside Signup and view all the answers

What was part of the general attitude leading to the 'Great White Fleet' built by the US?

The idea that a ‘modern’ Navy was the backbone of one country’s wealth, power, and status Signup and view all the answers

What technical development made all the previous battleships obsolete overnight in 1906?

Dreadnought battleship Signup and view all the answers

What did 'scientific racism' provide intellectual justifications for?

European domination over Asian and African ‘inferior’ and ‘backward races’ Signup and view all the answers

What opportunity did contemporary industrial systems offer that contributed to the process of technical evolution?

Technical evolution and opportunities Signup and view all the answers

What did Britain replace with fuel oil as the propellant for its ships in 1912?

Coal Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Transformations in Early 19th Century Europe

Major events include the American Revolution (1765-84), French Revolution (1789-99), and the Napoleonic Era (First French Empire, 1804-14) that significantly shaped modernity.
Industrial Revolution catalyzed economic and cultural changes, with nation-states emerging as the dominant political model.
Scientific advancements reduced travel times, improved transportation of goods, and accelerated the flow of information.
These changes facilitated the rise of new political entities, including the bourgeoisie and intellectual elites.

Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order

The Congress of Vienna (Nov 1814 - June 1815) sought to restore the pre-revolutionary European political landscape and prevent the spread of revolutionary ideologies.
Key figures included Prince Metternich (Austria), Lord Castlereagh (Britain), Prince Talleyrand (France), and Tsar Alexander I (Russia).
The principal goals were: restoring legitimate sovereigns, balancing power amongst states, and containing France's influence.
Countries like Austria and Britain aimed to maintain the status quo, while Prussia and Russia sought territorial expansion.

Principles Established by the Congress

Balance of Power: An updated regulatory principle inherited from the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 to maintain equilibrium in Europe.
Containment of France: Strengthening neighboring states and establishing Austrian hegemony over Italy to prevent French resurgence.
Legitimacy: Restoration of rightful monarchs, while some historical entities, like the Holy Roman Empire, were not reinstated.

Challenges to the Vienna Order

The geopolitical system established had weaknesses, including neglecting the Ottoman Empire's declining status and overlooking growing national sentiments in Europe.
Secessionist movements led to the establishment of Belgium in 1831 and resistance against Russian authority in Congress Poland.

Diplomatic Instruments for Order Maintenance

Holy Alliance (Sept 26, 1815): Signed by Russia, Austria, and Prussia, aimed at suppressing liberalism. Lacked enforcement mechanisms.
Quadruple Alliance (Nov 20, 1815): Formed by Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Britain to address post-Congress challenges and manage French ambitions.
Metternich's vision linked domestic order with international stability, prompting intervention in Spain and Italy to curb revolutionary uprisings.

Liberalism and Nationalism Emerge

Waves of instability occurred during the early 1820s, 1830s, and 1848-49, fueled by liberalism and nationalism.
Belgium gained independence in 1831, while the Bourbon monarchy in France fell in 1830, leading to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy under Louis Philippe.
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power, declaring himself Emperor Napoleon III, marking the foundation of the Second French Empire.

Greek Independence Crisis

Greek nationalists sought independence, generating international interest, particularly from Britain, France, and Tsarist Russia.
The war for Greek independence lasted from 1820 to 1829, culminating in the Peace of Adrianople that recognized Greece as an independent constitutional monarchy.

Independence Movements in Latin America

Latin American colonies sought independence, inspired by the U.S. and French revolutions and taking advantage of Spain's weakened position.
The Quadruple Alliance considered French intervention to aid Spain, but Britain opposed such actions, leading to a declaration of the Monroe Doctrine by the U.S. (Dec 2, 1823).
The doctrine emphasized U.S. non-interference in European affairs and the exclusion of European colonization in the Western Hemisphere.
Spanish colonies transitioned to independent republics, while Brazil became a constitutional monarchy in 1822 under Pedro I.

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Test your knowledge of the historical events and political developments in Europe during the 1820s, including the Quadruple Alliance, the Holy Alliance, and the non-intervention principle embraced by the British government.