Congress of Vienna Levis Study Guide

Congress of Vienna

A meeting of European leaders in 1815 to restore order and balance after Napoleon's defeat.

Liberals

People who wanted change favoring individual rights, limited government, and constitutional rule.

Conservatives

People who wanted to keep traditional monarchies and resist political or social change.

Moderates

Those with middle-ground views, wanting gradual change instead of extreme actions.

Radicals

People who wanted major, rapid change and sometimes used revolution to achieve it.

Balance of Power

A system where no single nation is stronger than others, keeping peace in Europe.

Principle of Legitimacy

The idea that old royal families should be restored to the thrones after Napoleon's fall.

Reform Bills of 1832 & 1867

British laws that expanded voting rights and made Parliament more representative.

July Ordinance

Decrees by King Charles X of France limiting free press and dissolving Parliament, which caused revolt.

Frankfurt Assembly

A meeting of German representatives in 1848 trying to unite Germany under a constitution.

Second French Republic

Government formed in France after the 1848 revolution, ending the monarchy.

Charles X

French king whose strict rule caused the 1830 revolution.

Louis Phillippe

"Citizen King" of France who replaced Charles X but was later overthrown.

Louis Napoleon

Nephew of Napoleon Bonaparte; became President, then Emperor Napoleon III.

Autocratic Rule

Government where one ruler has absolute power, with no limits or shared authority.

Decembrist

Russian army officers who led a failed 1825 revolt for constitutional government.

Socialist

Someone who believes in public ownership and equality, reducing the gap between rich and poor.

Imperialism

When a strong nation takes control of weaker lands for power and resources.

Pan-Slavism

The idea of uniting all Slavic peoples under Russian leadership.

Ethnocentrism

Believing one's own culture or ethnicity is superior to others.

Russification

Forcing non-Russian people to adopt Russian language, culture, and religion.

Alexander I

Russian czar who defeated Napoleon but stayed conservative.

Fredrick William IV

Prussian king who rejected the German crown offered by the Frankfurt Assembly.

Alexander II

Russian czar who freed the serfs and tried to modernize Russia.

Reparations

Money or goods paid by a defeated country to make up for war damages.

Prince Metternich

A conservative Austrian leader who dominated the Congress of Vienna and fought against liberal movements.