Mehap Outline

The Changing Political Order in Europe, 1815 -1830

Generally
    • All of Europe is traumatized by the Revolution
    • The aristocratic monarchies won
        o So they get to impose their peace
        o It is a peace of reaction (going backwards)
              ▪ Go back to holy trinity of monarchy, nobility, church
    • But it’s hard to get the genie of liberation back in the bottle
    • Gradually, nationalism and liberalism become unstoppable movements

Nationalist Revolts
    • Italy (1820 – 21)
        o Hapsburg Ferdinand I reneges on liberal constitution of 1815
              ▪ Revolts in Naples
              ▪ Army, middle class
        o Revolt has both liberal and nationalist flavors
        o F1 calls to COE for help
        o Metternich calls Quadruple Alliance at meeting in Troppau
              ▪ All prepared to intervene except England
        o Important break btw. England and COE
              ▪ Castlereagh says COE is not about internal affairs
                    • Only spats between countries
              ▪ England now adopts policy of “splendid isolation”
                    • Intentionally stays out of continental affairs
                          o Except when it needs to right the balance


    • Greece (1821 – 31)
        o Greece is a territory of the Ottoman Empire
              ▪ But the fervor of nationalism has reached it from France
        o Revolt breaks out in Greece and Danubian provinces
        o Powers are divided on what to do
        o Metternich and the Tsar don’t want an independent nation
        o France and England are more sympathetic
              ▪ Romanticism of Ancient Greece is a factor
        o F & E send ships to scene, destroy Ottoman’s fleet (Adrianople)
        o Russia intervenes against Turkey
              ▪ To grab territory
        o By 1831, Mehmet Ali agrees to Greek independence
              ▪ A big mess for Austria-Hungary... [continues]

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