To what extent did Metternich create a stable Europe?

Yasmine Rahmouni

Western Civilization 10th Grade May 31st 2011 Ms. Haggstrom Word Count: 3,243

Rahmouni 2 Table of Contents Abstract.....3 Introduction...4 1.1: Balance of Power...4-5 1.2: Containment of France4 1.3: Equality between Nations....4-5 1.4: Austria as the Strongest Power5 2.1: Legitimacy......5-6 2.2: Restoration of Previous Monarchs..5 2.3: Conservatism...5 2.4: Liberalist Threat..6 3.1: The Concert of Europe.6-8 3.2: Holy Alliance..6 3.3: Censorship...7 3.4: Liberalist Outburst...7 3.5: Metternichs Resignation.7-8 Conclusion......8 Bibliography...9

Rahmouni 3 Abstract Metternich successfully stabilized Europe for thirty-three years after the Napoleonic Wars. This extended essay will evaluate Metternichs ability to create a stable Europe. He introduced the idea of balance of power, legitimacy, and the Concert of Europe. These laws combined in the Vienna Settlement where the laws made were controlled by a Quadruple Alliance, which consisted of Russia, Prussia, Austria and Great Britain. This alliance initially formed to overpower Napoleon, which it defeated in 1815. Balance of power reduced French dominance and threat throughout the continent while legitimacy and the Concert of Europe strengthened the political relations between the European countries. These movements supported conservatism, which Metternich used to reduce liberal thought throughout the continent. They were necessary to create peace and eventually allowed stability in Europe for over three decades. The question posed is did Metternich create a stable Europe? One must understand the concept of legitimacy, which gave Metternich a positive image in the European society because he restored the previous monarchs into power. These rulers supported his thoughts in return. Thus, Metternich personally benefitted from this and maintained a strong influence throughout the European continent. People viewed him as keen and powerful, which prevented them from revolting for they feared his reaction. This reveals that to some extent Metternich succeeded in stabilizing Europe. However, Metternichs true self was revealed as he resigned in 1848 when the first revolutions in thirty-three years broke out in Austria.

Rahmouni 4 Introduction In 1815, Metternich an Austrian foreign minister determined the settlement of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. He maintained this status for thirty-three years then he resigned after the revolutions of 1848 broke out in Austria (Dwyer 672). In order to maintain peace and security in Europe Metternich lead the Congress of Vienna held from 1814-1815, where European leaders from Austria, Great Britain, Russia, and Prussia formed a Quadruple Alliance and agreed upon the settlement of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Metternich aimed to prevent any future revolutionary wars in Europe through a conservative mentality and opposed liberalism, which he believed, threatened peace and security in Europe. He presented his goals in the Congress of Vienna that he thought would promote peace and security in Europe. The Congress of Vienna specifically agreed on each accordingly with the consent of every nation. Though he had numerous goals the most influential consisted of a balance of power, legitimacy, and the Concert of Europe (Dwyer). Balance of power aimed to keep every country equal in strength, while legitimacy and the Concert of Europe focused on conservatism and solidarity and maintained political stability in the continent. Each principle worked properly until liberal thoughts started to spread throughout Europe. This threatened Metternichs objective of stability in Europe because the liberals disagreed with the conservatives, which eventually resulted in the revolutions of 1848 in Austria ("Metternich & Napoleon Diplomacy Congress of Vienna"). Metternich resigned right away as the revolutions broke out. This portrayed his weakness and inaptness, which revealed the inconsistency of his objectives. At the end power seemed to be the only objective Metternich strived for and through the mere excuse of stability Metternich succeeded in maintaining it. As whole, Metternich significantly contributed to European political stability for more than three decades; however, he supported stability for his personal benefits and remained powerful until liberalist thoughts rose and revolutions broke out. 1.1: Balance of Power As president of the Congress of Vienna, Metternich maintained balance of power in Europe with the help of the Quadruple Coalition which consisted of Russia, Prussia, England, and Austria. First, France had to be controlled and its power reduced because it previously dominated Europe during Napoleons rule. The allies created strong buffer statesi on the boundaries of France, which balanced power across Europe (Murphy et. al. 150). The states surrounded France and strengthened, which balanced power throughout the European continent. The principle of balance of power combined several European territories into one territory. For instance, Belgium and Holland united their grounds to become the United Kingdom of the Netherlands (Murphy et. al. 150). This not only strengthened these countries, but it also created solidarity between each one as they combined to come together as one. This formed loyalty between the populations as they strived to become a stronger power and protected themselves from common enemies. As the weak bordering countries around France and others across Europe fortified, French dominance and power reduced accordingly. The Congress of Vienna encouraged stability as they kept every country practically equal in strength. France remained strong and shared equal significance and strength as the other European territories (Dwyer 673). The Vienna Congress leaders avoided complete destruction of French forces, which prevented future acts of vengeance from France. The act of retribution created instability and insecurity, which opposed Metternichs target of

Rahmouni 5 promoting peace and security in the European nation. This would cause future revolutions, which the Congress of Vienna severely avoided and was established to prevent in the first place. Thus, France remained satisfied with this balance of power, which prevented it from committing revolutionary actions. The European countries were believed to be equal in strength, which promoted stability in Europe. The European countries remained practically equal in strength (Black), which provided satisfaction throughout the continent. Although, some historians argued that Austria remained the strongest European power during the age of Metternich reinforced by his diplomacy. One historian quoted, It was a linchpin holding the restored order of Europe together (Pelling). Metternichs diplomacy gave the impression that Austria dominated all the other European countries while it declined gradually. Metternich seemed really strong and straightforward which reinforced the belief that Austria dominated all. In addition, considering the fact that Metternichs master was Emperor Francis I of Austria (Murphy et al.148), Metternich illustrated Austria as the strongest power, which satisfied Francis I very much. This way, Metternich maintained his high status in the Austrian government and promoted stability in the European continent with the support of his master, Francis I. He remained a powerful man, which he aimed to stay. Fortunately, though it consisted of selfish personal benefits, Metternich successfully sustained a balance of power throughout Europe, which promoted stability from the Napoleonic wars and with this introduced the idea of legitimacyii. 2.1: Legitimacy Metternich benefitted from the idea of legitimacy as he promoted stability throughout the European continent. During the Congress of Vienna Metternich introduced the legitimacy principle (Dwyer 673). This proposal restored the powers previously driven out by Napoleon. It increased stability as the previous monarchs strived for success and strengthened their rule, as they feared to be overthrown once again. The leaders of the Congress of Vienna followed the idea of legitimacy appropriately and restored Louis XVIII of France to his monarchy, as well as the ruling families of Spain, and several states in Italy and Central Europe (Dwyer 673). These monarchs appreciated Metternich very much because he restored them into power, which they obviously wanted to have. This allowed for Metternich to be favored throughout Europe and supported not only by Francis I, but also by almost all the European countries. Metternich believed that the return of former monarchs stabilized political relations between European countries (Dwyer 673). The former monarchs distasted Napoleon and were all dethroned by him. Thus, they all endured the same misfortune and for this reason, consolidated to prevent revolutions and insecurity in Europe. Legitimacy maintained stability through a conservative manner. For the first time, all European countries agreed to control political affairs properly (Rempel). The settlements made satisfied every European country, which prevented a revolutionary reaction of injustice in a specific country. For this, the Congress of Vienna became renowned as one of the most successful conservative events that promoted peace in history (Knight). Though it consisted of restricted ideas that denied liberalism it succeeded and promoted peace for over three decades. Usually, conservatism movements lasted for a short period of time while the Vienna Settlement remained functional for a long period of time. Most importantly, none of the five great powers (France, Prussia, Austria, Russia, and England) declared war on one another for almost four decades (Dwyer 673). Metternichs theory of legitimacy worked successfully and provided peace for almost two generations. The peace between the five great powers proved this.

Rahmouni 6 Liberal thought existed despite the conservative movement, which threatened European stability. Although the Congress of Vienna succeeded in some sort, the Congress leaders feared the rise of liberalist movements throughout the continent (Knight). Liberalist thoughts opposed the conservative movement of legitimacy. Although, they did not oppose Metternich right away because they feared him. At this point, he controlled the Austrian government, which seemed to be the strongest European power and the liberals were not ready for revolutions yet, for they feared the consequences to come. Moreover, the liberals preferred the former monarchs to be more open and tolerant in their rule (Boroughs). However, Europe remained stable because few liberal thoughts stayed after the French Revolution. The existing liberals remained discouraged by Metternichs dominance throughout Europe. Even though, liberal thoughts opposed the Congress of Vienna methods, which still threatened the security that the Congress promoted itself. At this point, The Congress of Vienna reached an uncertain peak, which is when Metternich introduced the Concert of Europe. 3.1: Concert of Europe The Concert of Europe reinforced conservatism and created solidarity between the European countries. Before the Concert of Europe, in 1815 most European monarchs signed a Holy Alliance created by Tsar Alexander the Great (Geacintov). The European countries in accordance with this policy worked together and conserved the Holy Alliance, which repressed liberalism and promoted stability in Europe. It was subsequently acceded to by all the monarchs of Europe except the King of Great Britain, who declined to sign on constitutional grounds, Pope Pius VII, who refused to treat with Protestant monarchs, and the Sultan of Turkey. Both Castlereagh and Metternich dismissed the wording of treaty as largely meaningless, and it had little influence on the policies of the signatories (Geacintov). This revealed the imperfection of the Vienna Settlement. Metternich gave the impression that it remained perfect to Europes stability while it consisted of disagreement between the Alliances. Metternich seemed to encourage the Vienna Congress while his motif remained selfish because he obviously wanted a high status in the European society. Staying out of the Holy Alliance portrayed the inaccuracy and weakness of the Vienna Settlement as a whole (Murphy et al. 154). The Quadruple Alliance in the Congress of Vienna consisted of Prussia, Russia, Austria, and Great Britain. Prussia, Russia, and Austria all agreed with the Holy Alliance while Great Britain disagreed. This caused a contradiction between the allied powers, which increased difficulty for these countries to function in correlation with one another. The Concert of Europe supported conservatism and promised solidarity between European nations if ever a revolution broke out. The powers agreed to renew their meetings at fixed periods for the purpose of consulting upon their common interests and for the consideration of the measures which shall be considered the most salutary for the repose and prosperity of nations and for the maintenance of peace of Europe (Murphy et al. 153). This settlement strengthened solidarity and loyalty between the European countries. It reinforced their political relations as they supported one another if ever a revolution started. Regular meeting solidified the stability and security measures as they were based on

Rahmouni 7 individual rather than general interests of the European countries. Metternich also encouraged censorship and suppressed threatening components (Rempel). This secured each countrys conscious concerning liberal movements as the Concert of Europe reinforced censorship as it involved instant modifications and support incase of revolutionary threats. However, Metternich developed a paradox to the Concert of Europe as he resigned after the revolutions of 1848 in Austria. This revealed his incapability of maintaining stability throughout Europe and keeping his word. All that time during the Vienna Congress he portrayed a faade of himself and hid his real intentions of striving for power. He remained disloyal to his own idea of solidarity in times of struggle, which portrayed his inefficiency as a leader. The liberalist influence spread across Europe and threatened Europes conservative stability. With the Concert of Europe, the European countries conservatives held firm control of governments, although the liberal influence could not be controlled (Boroughs). The liberals started to grow in number and thus supported each other, which allowed them to fear less the consequences of a revolution. In France the monarchy satisfied the French conservatives; however, the liberals sought more of the kings power to be shared with the legislature (Boroughs). The French liberalist feared less Metternich than the Austrians and thus spoke out and asked for more of the kings power to be shared with the legislature. However, the liberalist in Austria remained quiet until liberal ideas spread more throughout Europe. The Austrians lived in a country where Metternich held firm control. Thus, they feared his unexpected reaction to their demands. Metternich equally resented liberalism, nationalism, and revolution regarding them all as forms of "presumption" (Emerson). For this matter, he opposed them and believed they caused revolutions. He supported this theory in the Vienna Settlement where it passed. It opposed liberal thoughts, which Metternich obviously ignored and feared at the same time. He feared them because he knew that they existed and expected their revolts any time soon. One may evaluate Metternich as a stubborn person who discounted to evaluate the Vienna Settlements weaknesses even though he knew that many liberals hated it across Europe. He disregarded future troubles that this settlement encountered and did not try to correct them before hand to avoid liberalist outburst. The liberalist movement could no longer be controlled which resulted in future unsteadiness. In 1848, revolutions broke out in Austria (Metternich & Napoleon Diplomacy Congress of Vienna). The liberalist ideas reached the majority of European countries, which encouraged the Austrians to speak out for their rights. This portrayed the severity of the conservatism movement during the time of Metternich, because this could not be resolved in peace, it required revolutions. The European Revolutions of 1848 represent a widespread emergence of situations, across much of Europe, where populist human aspirations variously sought constitutional, liberal, nationalist or socialistic changes in society often at the cost of traditionally influential dynastic or religious authorities (Metternich & Napoleon Diplomacy Congress of Vienna). The revolutions the broke out in Austria revealed Metternichs weakness and Austrian decline. The Austrians believed that Metternichs strength could not be defeated while it could. In addition, Austria divulged itself as no stronger than the other European countries because it remained unable to control the revolutions that broke out. At this point, Metternich immediately resigned on March 13th 1848 (Emerson). Metternichs resignation portrayed his incapability and incompetence at promoting peace and security throughout Europe. His main goal gave the impression to promote stability in Europe and his resignation proved this objective to be inaccurate. He let the European society unattended and unsupported at times

Rahmouni 8 of revolutions. He let down his European allies and disregarded the consequences of the revolutions. He did not try to fix the Vienna Settlement which he himself created, which portrayed his irresponsibility at times of instability. These liberal movements obviously sought for more freedom and equality, which Metternich denied with conservatism. Many historians held him accountable for the revolutions of 1848 (Metternich & Napoleon Diplomacy Congress of Vienna). Metternichs secrecy of weakness was revealed at the end as he resigned and allowed revolution to rise. He obviously sought power for himself and when this power was finished he resigned without supporting the struggling Austrian Empire. As a whole, he remained incapable of promoting peace when revolutions broke out which contradicted the Concert of Europe as a whole. Conclusion Metternich promoted peace and stability in Europe for thirty-three years and from this attained personal benefit as he maintained a high status quo in European society. The stability he created was based on a complete conservatism movement. All his ideas presented in The Congress of Vienna supported this movement. This way Metternich reduced liberalist thoughts for a little more than three decades throughout the European continent. In this manner Europe successfully reached stability. Metternich introduced balance of power, which gave the impression that all European countries remained equal in strength, while he gave his master the impression that Austria dominated them all. Metternich strengthened Austria the most and benefitted from this as his master, Francis I supported him throughout his diplomatic career. This way he controlled the Austrian government and reached a significant position and obtained most of the Austrian power. Moreover, the principle of legitimacy reinforced Metternichs influence as the restored European monarchs happily supported him in return for bringing them back to power. At this point, almost all the European powers believed in Metternich and by sustaining him sustained conservatism as well. This strengthened Metternichs status even more and he was seen to be keen and competent. Metternich created a stable Europe at the cost of his leadership and personal benefits as he strived to remain powerful in the European society. However, at the end he destabilized Europe due to the severity of the conservatism movement that he supported for over three decades because by then liberal thoughts spread across Europe and revolutions broke out. The Concert of Europe supported solidarity of countries during times of opposition or rebellion. However, as the revolutions of 1848 started in Austria, Metternich resigned which revealed his disloyalty to the Concert of Europe. His resignation also portrayed his fake expertise to stabilize Europe for he was not a strong enough man to help hold Europe together after revolutions rose.

Rahmouni 9 Bibliography Black, Michael. "Metternich." Writing Site - Michael Black. 1 May 2008. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.mwblack.co.uk/metternichbiog.htm>. Boroughs, Henry. "THE AGE OF METTERNICH (1815-1848)." William Paterson University. 2003. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://ww3.wpunj.edu/~history/study/ws2/set6b.htm>. Dwyer, Philip G., and Peter McPhee. The French Revolution and Napoleon: a Sourcebook. Chapter 23. London: Routledge, 2002. Print. Emerson, Ralph. "The European Revolutions of 1848 : History." Faith vs Reason Debate Wisdom Spiritual Insights Quotations Quotes Aldous Huxley Perennial Philosophy. Web. 12 May 2011. <http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/history/1848/revolution_of_1848.html>. Geacintov, Cyril Geacintov E. "The Holy Alliance (1815)." Russian Nobility Association, Inc. (RNA). 2004. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.russiannobility.org/Default.asp?Page=24>. Knight, Kevin. "CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Prince Von Metternich." NEW ADVENT: Home. 2009. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10245a.htm>. "Metternich & Napoleon Diplomacy Congress of Vienna." Faith vs Reason Debate Wisdom Spiritual Insights Quotations Quotes Aldous Huxley Perennial Philosophy. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.age-of-the-sage.org/historical/biography/metternich.html>. Murphy, Derrick, Terry Morris, Richard Staton, and Sally Waller. Europe 1760-1871. Chapter 6. London: Harper Collins, 2000. Print. Pelling, Nick. "Metternich: Success or Failure?" Madasafish. 1998. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~semp/metternich.htm>. Rempel, Gerhard. "Prince Metternich and the New Social Order." WNEC FACULTY/STAFF HOME PAGES. Web. 08 May 2011. http://mars.wnec.edu/~grempel/courses/germany/lectures/06metternich.html

Buffer states: states that separate ambitious powers from one another and protect them from each others aggression (Murphy et al. 150).
i

Legitimacy: agreeing that as many as possible of the rulers whom Napoleon had driven from their thrones be restored to power (Dwyer).
ii