Study Notes on European Ideologies and Upheavals (1815-1850)
Unit Objectives
Objective A:
Describe the goals of the leaders of the Congress of Vienna and how the Balance of Power was reset.
Objective B:
Discuss how the artists and writers of the Romantic movement reflected and influenced changes in society.
Objective C:
Define and provide examples of socialism, liberalism, and nationalism.
Objective D:
Discuss why the revolutionary surge triumphed briefly in 1848 and then failed almost completely.
Terms to Know
Balance of Power: A political and diplomatic equilibrium among nations to prevent any one entity from becoming too powerful.
Liberalism: A political ideology advocating for civil liberties, democratic governance, and the protection of individual rights. Key tenets include freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
Socialism: A system of social organization advocating for collective or governmental ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange.
Capitalism: An economic system characterized by private ownership of capital goods, with investments determined by private decision rather than by state control.
Chartists: A movement arising from Britain's working class advocating for political reforms including universal male suffrage.
Congress of Vienna: A conference held from 1814 to 1815 aimed at redrawing European boundaries after the defeat of Napoleon.
June Days: A workers' uprising in France in June 1848, which arose in response to the closure of national workshops, resulting in severe clashes.
Marxism: A socio-political and economic theory developed by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that argues for a classless society achieved through revolutionary means.
Greater Germany: A political concept advocating for the inclusion of all ethnic Germans within one nation-state.
Conservatism: A political philosophy that emphasizes the value of traditional institutions and practices, advocating for gradual change rather than radical reforms.
Nationalism: An ideological movement aimed at promoting the interests of a particular nation, often in opposition to international disputes and influences.
Utopian Socialism: Early socialist thought characterized by the belief in the establishment of an ideal society through mere example or persuasion rather than revolution.
Laissez-faire: An economic system where transactions between private parties are free from governmental intervention.
Holy Alliance: A coalition of Russia, Austria, and Prussia formed after the Congress of Vienna aimed at upholding conservative and monarchist principles.
Communist Manifesto: A political document published in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that outlines the theory of class struggle and revolution.
Frankfurt Assembly: An attempt in 1848 to create a unified Germany through a constituent assembly, which ultimately failed.
Peterloo: A term referring to the Peterloo Massacre, where cavalry charged into a crowd demanding political reform in 1819 in St. Peter's Field, Manchester.
Gutter Crown: A disparaging term referring to the potential establishment of a monarchy post-1848 by radical or disreputable means.
The Potato Famine (An Gorta Mor): A period of mass starvation in Ireland from 1845 to 1852 caused by potato blight that led to significant societal and political changes.
Romanticism: An artistic and intellectual movement emphasizing emotion, individualism, and the glorification of the past and nature.
Radicalism: A political viewpoint that seeks significant change to the status quo, often advocating for extreme reforms.
Communism: A system characterized by the collective ownership of property and the absence of social classes. It seeks to eradicate capitalist exploitation.
Iron Law of Wages: A theory positing that wages naturally settle at a minimum level necessary for subsistence, leading to a cycle of poverty and population growth.
Dual Revolutions: Refers to the simultaneous political and industrial revolutions in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries that led to far-reaching societal changes.
Karlsbad Decrees: A series of regulations enacted in 1819 in response to revolutionary movements in the German states, aimed at suppressing liberal and nationalist sentiments.
British Corn Laws: Tariffs and trade restrictions on imported grain that stirred significant opposition among the working classes during the early 19th century.
Bourgeoisie: The capitalist class in Marxist theory who own the means of production and are contrasted with the proletariat, or working class.
Reform Bill of 1832: A piece of legislation that expanded voting rights in Britain and aimed at eliminating many 'rotten boroughs'.
People to Know
Metternich: Austrian diplomat and politician, influential in the Congress of Vienna and the architecture of post-Napoleonic Europe.
Nicholas I: Tsar of Russia known for his authoritarian rule and repression of revolutionary movements.
Tallyrand: French diplomat who played a significant role at the Congress of Vienna and in shaping post-Napoleonic Europe.
Karl Marx: Philosopher, economist, and revolutionary socialist known for developing Marxism.
Castlereagh: British statesman who was a leading figure at the Congress of Vienna, advocating for a balance of power in Europe.
Frederick William IV: King of Prussia known for his initial opposition to democracy and later acceptance of some liberal reforms.
Hardenburg: Prussian statesman associated with the Congress of Vienna and the restoration of the Prussian monarchy post-Napoleon.
Friedrich Engels: Collaborator with Marx and co-author of the Communist Manifesto, a key figure in the development of socialist thought.
Louis Napoleon: Later known as Napoleon III, he led France after the revolution of 1848 and declared himself Emperor.
Alexander I: Tsar of Russia whose reign saw significant military campaigns against Napoleon and participation in the Congress of Vienna.
Francis Joseph: Emperor of Austria who presided over a multi-national empire during a time of rising nationalism.
Thomas Malthus: Economist known for his theories on population growth and its relationship to resources, which influenced Marxist thought.
George Hegel: Philosopher who contributed to the development of dialectical reasoning, influencing Marx's worldview.
Robert Peel: British Prime Minister known for repealing the Corn Laws and for police reform leading to the formation of the modern police force.
LER (Stanley Baldwin et al.): Implied reference to the leaders in England's political reform movements, often advocating for Liberal values in response to societal challenges.
Louis Philippe: King of the French from 1830 to 1848, his reign saw increasing discontent that culminated in the revolution.
Walter Scott: Scottish historical novelist and poet, a noted figure in the Romantic movement.
Victor Hugo: French poet and novelist associated with the Romantic movement; his works addressed social issues and injustices.
Adam Mickiewicz: Polish Romantic poet, significant in national literature and advocating for Polish independence.
Charles X: King of France known for his conservative policies leading to his abdication during the July Revolution.
William Wordsworth: Major English Romantic poet known for his nature-focused poetry.
Eugene Delacroix: French painter associated with the Romantic movement, noted for his vivid colors and emotional subjects.
George Sand: French novelist and feminist who broke societal norms of her time and supported various political causes.
Casper David Friedrich: German Romantic painter known for his landscape paintings that evoke feelings of the sublime.
Germaine de Staël: Writer and intellectual who was exiled from France for her opposition to Napoleon's regime; she contributed to Romantic ideas.
Louis XVIII: King of France prior to Charles X, his reign saw the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy after Napoleon's fall.