Chapter 21 Notes: Reaction, Revolution, and Romanticism 1815–1850

Major Concepts

• Concert of Europe: Influenced by Metternich, conservatives aimed to maintain the status quo in Europe by supporting traditional authority.

• Political Landscape:

  • Conservatives focused on maintaining the traditional order.

  • Liberals promoted individual rights and popular sovereignty for the middle class.

  • Radicals demanded universal male suffrage and other reforms.

• Social Movements: Labor unions for workers, women's rights movements, and abolitionist movements gained traction.

Overview of the Era (1815-1850)

• The period was marked by revolts and revolutions influenced by burgeoning nationalism and the push for liberal reforms.

• Romanticism as an artistic movement arose as a response, emphasizing emotion and nature over classicism.

The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)

• Purpose: To create a lasting peace by restoring legitimate monarchies and establishing a balance of power after the Napoleonic Wars.

• Key Figures: Austrian foreign minister Klemens von Metternich led the congress.

• Principles: Adhered largely to the principle of legitimacy by restoring monarchs in various European nations.

• Outcome: Prevented major conflicts in Europe for nearly a century.

Conservative Order (1815-1830)

• Goals: Containment of revolutionary forces, restoration of conservative governments, prevention of nationalism.

• Interventionist Policies: Metternich advocated the principle of intervention to restore order in nations facing revolutions, notably in Spain and Italy.

Revolutions of 1848

• Triggered by extreme social and economic discontent:

  • France: Revolution led to the abdication of Louis-Philippe and the establishment of the Second Republic.

  • Italy: Nationalistic uprisings occurred but were ultimately repressed by Austrian forces.

  • Germany: The Frankfurt Assembly sought national unity but failed.

  • Austrian Empire: Revolt in Hungary was suppressed with Russian support.

Ideological Movements

Conservatism

• Key Ideas: Emphasis on tradition, established authority, and resistance to rapid change.

• Key Theorists: Edmund Burke argued against revolutions and advocated for gradual reform.

Liberalism

• Defining Beliefs: Individual rights, constitutional government, and property qualifications for suffrage.

• Notably, John Stuart Mill discussed protections against both governmental and societal coercion.

Nationalism

• Concept: Desire for self-determination and unity among peoples with common cultural backgrounds.

• Led to demands for unification in Germany and Italy, often opposing conservative structures.

Socialism and Utopian Ideas

• Emergence: Response to industrialization; proposed more equitable social structures.

• Early socialists like Fourier and Owen aimed to create cooperative communities.

Romanticism: A Cultural Response

• Characteristics: Emphasis on emotion, nature, individualism; reaction against Enlightenment rationalism.

• Key Figures: Writers like Wordsworth and Shelley explored emotional depth and nature in their works.

• Artistic Expression: Artists such as Caspar David Friedrich and Eugène Delacroix embodied Romantic ideals through their focus on emotion and nature.

Summary of Romantic Influence

• Literature: Prominent themes included nature, individual emotion, and societal critique.

• Art & Music: Moods and emotions were pivotal; composers like Beethoven propelled Romantic ideas through music.

Conclusion

• Although conservative forces initially regained control following 1848, liberalism and nationalism would shape the course of European history in the latter half of the 19th century.

• The artistic movement of Romanticism symbolized a deep cultural reaction to the complexities and upheavals of the time.