unit 7 study guide

Study Guide Overview

Multiple Choice Questions:

• Complete the multiple choice questions at the end of each chapter in Spielvogel to actively engage with the material and reinforce your understanding in preparation for the exam.

Key Terms:

• Familiarize yourself with major figures, concepts, and terminology introduced throughout the chapters, as these are essential for a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.

Revolutions:

• Understand the key revolutions during this period, significant players involved, results, and their historical importance. Pay particular attention to the Crimean War and its ramifications on European politics.

Industrialization Theories:

• Dive deeply into Marxism, focusing on the concept of class struggle, and examine other industrialization theories to understand the socio-economic changes of the 19th century.

Ideologies:

• Learn the critical differences among the four major ideologies of the time: conservatism, liberalism, nationalism, and socialism, and how these ideologies influenced political movements and revolutions.

Geographical Changes:

• Identify and analyze significant geographical transformations resulting from wars, treaties, and revolutions that redefined national boundaries and the political landscape of Europe.

Unification of Italy and Germany:

• Understand the steps of unification for both Germany and Italy, exploring the roles played by key figures like Bismarck, Garibaldi, Cavour, Victor Emanuel, and William I. Analyze the impacts of this unification on Europe's balance of power and the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Victorian Culture:

• Grasp the intricate cultural aspects and social reforms that arose during the Victorian era in Great Britain, including changes in art, literature, and social norms.

Emergence of America:

• Note critical American developments in the 19th century, particularly focusing on the themes of emancipation and its global influence.

Russian Conservatism:

• Study the reigns of Russian Tsars Alexander II, III, and Nicholas II, evaluating their policies and how they reflected broader trends of conservatism in Russia.

19th Century Art and Culture:

• Emphasize the significant changes in art and culture during the 19th century, including movements such as Romanticism and Realism, alongside the rise of mass society and materialism.

Cumulative Review:

• Prepare for exam questions that may cover content from previous chapters to ensure comprehensive understanding and retention of knowledge.

Ideologies and Revolutions (1815-1850)

The Age of Metternich (1815-1848):

• This era is characterized by a strong push for conservatism and reactionary politics aimed at suppressing revolutionary movements across Europe.

Rise of Liberalism:

• While liberalism faced repression after the Congress of Vienna, it saw a resurgence during the revolutions of 1830 and 1848. Key events include:

  • The overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy in France in 1830 which led to the establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

  • The widespread establishment of republics during the revolutions of 1848 in several European nations.

Nationalism:

• Nationalism emerged as the dominant force for revolution, motivating revolts in Italy, German states, and other territories against foreign control. Notably, Greece gained independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1832, marking a significant victory for nationalist movements.

Romanticism:

• Romanticism emerged as a powerful cultural movement in response to Enlightenment rationalism, emphasizing emotion, the beauty of nature, and a glorified sense of individualism and the past. Important figures in this movement included Rousseau, Wordsworth, Goethe, and Delacroix.

The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)

Goals:

• The primary objectives were the restoration of monarchies and the establishment of a new order in Europe following the Napoleonic Wars.

Primary Figures:

• Significant individuals included:

  • Klemens von Metternich (Austria) - the chief architect of the Congress’s decisions.

  • Lord Castlereagh (England) - played a vital role in negotiations.

  • Tsar Alexander I (Russia) - sought to extend Russian influence in Europe.

Key Principles:

• The guiding principles were:

  • Legitimacy: Restoring exiled rulers to the thrones.

  • Compensation: Providing geographical rewards to states that aided in Napoleon's defeat.

  • Balance of Power: Establishing a system where no single state could dominate the continent again.

Evaluation of the Congress of Vienna:

• The Congress restored balance of power in Europe until 1871 but faced criticism from liberals who accused it of suppressing burgeoning nationalist movements.

Concert of Europe (1815-1850)

• The Concert of Europe aimed to maintain the status quo and counter revolutionary activities. Key components:

  • The establishment of the Quadruple Alliance among major powers to thwart threats to peace.

  • The Congress System, which allowed nations to collectively address conflicts and maintain order.

Conservatism and Repression

Metternich's Philosophy:

• A staunch opponent of liberalism, Metternich was supported by traditional elites who favored stability and monarchy. He implemented strategies to suppress dissent and liberal ideologies across Europe.

Suppression Tools:

• The Carlsbad Decrees were significant legislative measures enacted to target and suppress liberal movements within German states.

Reforms in England (1820-1830)

• In England, gradual liberal reforms were initiated primarily by the Whigs, alongside some Tory influence. Significant legislations included:

  • Reform Bill of 1832: Broadened franchise and reformed parliamentary representation.

  • Factory Acts: Improved labor conditions and regulated work hours for women and children.

  • Corn Laws Repeal: Removed tariffs on imported grain, reducing food prices and benefiting the working class.

Revolutions of 1848 - Overview

• A pivotal turning point characterized by widespread liberal and nationalist demands, revolutions spread across many European states but often resulted in mixed outcomes, with a general failure of revolutionary forces to maintain influence post-revolutions.

Romanticism

• The Romantic movement celebrated emotion, nature, and a glorified past, significantly impacting literature and art during this period. Key representatives included Rousseau in philosophy, and poet William Wordsworth alongside painter Eugène Delacroix.

Socialism Origins

• Socialism arose in response to the economic and social misery experienced by the working classes, blending ideas from liberal thinkers with aspirations for a cooperative society. Early socialist figures such as Saint-Simon and Fourier proposed various frameworks for societal reform.