Congress of Vienna
Four major enemies of France agree to remain united to defeat France and to ensure peace after
the war:Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia (The Quadruple Alliance)
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Restored the Bourbon Monarchy to France (Louis XVIII
Principle of Legitimacy: restore legitimate monarchs who would preserve traditional
institutions.
o Redistribution of Poland and some French lands
Leader of Congress was Austria’s Prince Klemens von Metternich
Key ideas were to maintain a balance of power to prevent another threat of danger like that of
Napoleon.
Concert of Europe
In 1815, the Quadruple Alliance added France to be a fifth component to become the Quintuple
Alliance.
Principle of Intervention created to allow the powers of Europe to send armies into countries
where revolutions threatened traditional monarchies.
 This was used in rebellions in Spain and Italian states despite the protests of Great
Britain who argued that the intent was only to control France.
 Revolutions in Latin America were contested by the British and the United States (The
Monroe Doctrine), and the continental powers were forced to hold back, and the
independence of Latin American countries was obtained.
 Britain and US wanted to have access to these countries for trade.
 In Greece, they all went against their ideals in order to help Greece free itself from the
control of the Muslim, Ottoman Empire.
Conservative’s effect on European countries
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Great Britain
o Two parties dominated parliament: Whigs and Torries
o Whigs were gaining some support of middle class, but
o Torries dominated—Tory government passed tariffs on foreign grains in response
to falling ag prices (Corn Law of 1815). This led to massive protests and
ultimately the death of 11 people at the Peterloo Massacre by a squadron of
cavalry. They attacked a crowd of 60,000 protesters in Manchester in 1819.
o This led to more repressive measures, outlawing large public meetings and the
passing out of pamphlets to the poor.
o Minor reforms kept demands for larger reforms down until 1830
France
o The Bourbon family was restored in 1814 with the return of Louis XVIII to the
throne.
o He accepted the Napoleonic Code, and its recognition of equality before the law,
property rights of purchased confiscated lands, and a bicameral legislature
(Chamber of Peers—chosen by the king and the Chamber of Deputies—chosen
by a wealthy few)
o He upset liberals seeking greater reforms and ultra royalists that wished to return
to the privileges lifestyles and the restoration of the Catholic Church.
o XVIII was replaced by his brother, Charles X. He favored the ultra royalists
desires, and went through a back and forth struggle.
o By 1830, France was on the brink of a second revolution.
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Italian States and Spain
o Congress of Vienna split Italy into 9 states. Much of it was under Austrian
control.
o Most leaders were very eager to quell any desires by groups that had nationalist
desires.
o Secret societies known as the Carbonari continued to conspire and plan for
revolution
o In Spain, a Bourbon dynasty was restored under Ferdinand VII in 1814. He had
agreed to observe the liberal constitution, but reneged on his promises. This led to
a revolt that was stopped when France intervened in 1820.
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Central Europe
o Rebellious groups were held in check by Metternich and his spies.
o Some reforms took place in Prussia under King Frederick William III, but did not
include a legislative assembly or a representative gov’t.
o In the universities, students and professors organized Burschenshaften, which
were societies intent on German unity. These alarmed Metternich, and they were
placed under close supervision.
o In Austria, multiple nationalities were held together by the Hapsburg dynasty and
the Catholic Church. Hungarian nationalists posed a threat to the Austrian
Empire.
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Russia
o Overwhelmingly rural, agricultural, and autocratic. Tsar, Alexander I became
very reactionary after the invasions of Napoleon.
o Opposition to Alexander I came from a group called the Northern Union
o When Alexander died in 1825, he was replaced by his brother Nicholas I. During
the transfer of power, the Northern Union rebelled—known as the Decembrist
Revolt.
o Nicholas brutally crushed the rebellion, and strengthened the secret police force,
and tightly controlled much of Russian life.
o Nicholas was very willing to help stop rebellions anywhere in Europe.