The CONCERT of EUROPE & European Conservatism [AP Euro Review—Unit 6 Topic 5]

Summary

In the wake of the French Revolution and Napoleon’s defeat, Europe embraced conservative ideology, seeking to restore traditional political systems. Key figures like Edmund Burke and Joseph de Maistre argued for the importance of monarchy, aristocracy, and religious authority in preserving societal order. The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815), led by Clemens von Metternich, aimed to re-establish monarchs and suppress liberal movements, leading to the Concert of Europe—a period of relative peace. However, the conservative order would eventually be challenged by nationalist and liberal revolutions in the 19th century.

Takeaways

• 😀 The French Revolution (1789–1799) sparked liberal reforms, overthrowing monarchies and granting new rights to citizens.
• 😀 The radical phase of the Revolution, including the Reign of Terror, led to the eventual rise of Napoleon as a stabilizing figure.
• 😀 After Napoleon's defeat, conservative European powers sought to shut down the liberal ideas spread by the French Revolution.
• 😀 Conservatism in 19th-century Europe emphasized maintaining traditional institutions like monarchy, aristocracy, and religion to stabilize society.
• 😀 Edmund Burke believed that authority and hierarchy were natural and that people were incapable of governing themselves.
• 😀 Joseph de Maistre argued that true political authority must be rooted in religious and moral principles, advocating for a return to monarchy.
• 😀 The Congress of Vienna (1814–1815) aimed to restore Europe's political structure to pre-revolutionary norms, promoting conservative rulers.
• 😀 The Concert of Europe, led by Austrian Foreign Minister Clemens von Metternich, sought to maintain peace through a balance of power between European states.
• 😀 Metternich’s three primary goals were to restore the balance of power, uphold aristocratic rights, and strengthen organized religion.
• 😀 The Carlsbad Decrees of 1819 in Austria suppressed liberal and nationalist movements by outlawing student organizations and removing liberal professors.
• 😀 Repressive actions in Russia, under the Tsar, included secret police and policies that upheld conservative rule and crushed dissent.

Q & A

What major historical event led to the rise of conservative ideology in Europe around 1815?

The French Revolution, which began in 1789, led to widespread liberal reforms and the overthrow of monarchies. The chaos and violence, particularly during the Reign of Terror, prompted conservative reactions across Europe, culminating in the rise of conservative ideology after Napoleon's defeat in 1815.

How did Napoleon's reign impact European politics and contribute to the conservative reaction?

Napoleon claimed to embody the ideals of the French Revolution while expanding his empire, spreading liberal reforms across Europe. His defeat, however, left European powers determined to undo the liberal changes he had imposed and restore the old political order, giving rise to conservative ideologies.

What are the core principles of 19th-century conservatism as described in the video?

19th-century conservatism emphasized the stability of traditional institutions like monarchy, aristocracy, and religion. Conservatives believed that humans are inherently flawed and thus, governance should rest in the hands of an elite ruling class, rather than being put in the hands of the general population.

Who were two prominent conservative thinkers mentioned in the video, and what were their key ideas?

Edmund Burke, an English conservative, argued that authority and hierarchy were part of the natural order, and society should be governed by an elite. Joseph de Maistre, a French conservative, believed in the necessity of monarchy and the importance of religious and moral principles in governance, rejecting the secularization brought by the French Revolution.

What was the Congress of Vienna, and what were its main goals?

The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) was a meeting of European powers to restore order after the Napoleonic Wars. Its main goals were to restore the balance of power in Europe, reinstall legitimate monarchs, preserve the rights of the aristocracy, and reinforce the role of organized religion as the foundation of social stability.

How did Clemens von Metternich influence the post-Napoleonic order in Europe?

Clemens von Metternich, Austria's foreign minister, played a key role in shaping the Concert of Europe. He aimed to restore stability by reinforcing monarchies, protecting aristocratic rights, and promoting religious institutions. He believed that strong central governments were necessary to maintain order and prevent future revolutions.

What was the Concert of Europe, and how did it contribute to European peace?

The Concert of Europe was a system of cooperation among European powers that aimed to maintain stability and prevent liberal revolutions. It succeeded in keeping relative peace across Europe from 1815 to 1848 by working together to suppress uprisings and maintain conservative regimes.

What was the Carlsbad Decrees, and what was their purpose?

The Carlsbad Decrees were enacted by Austria in 1819 to suppress nationalist and liberal movements in the German Confederation. They outlawed nationalist organizations, disbanded radical student groups, and removed liberal professors from universities in an effort to maintain conservative control.

How did Russia's Tsar Nicholas I respond to liberal and nationalist movements during the 19th century?

Tsar Nicholas I of Russia was a strong advocate for conservatism and ruled with the belief in the divine right of kings. His regime used secret police to root out dissent, quashed liberal and nationalist movements, and upheld an authoritarian system based on conservative values.

Why did European leaders view liberalism and nationalism as threats after the French Revolution?

European leaders viewed liberalism and nationalism as threats because they challenged the existing monarchical and aristocratic systems. Liberalism promoted individual rights and constitutional governance, while nationalism encouraged the rise of independent nation-states, both of which were seen as destabilizing forces by conservative rulers who wanted to maintain traditional power structures.