<aside> <img src="/icons/bookmark-outline_gray.svg" alt="/icons/bookmark-outline_gray.svg" width="40px" /> In this lesson, you will…

1. Explain how the Napoleonic Wars led to the rise of nationalism in Europe
2. Discuss the reactionary movement to the French Revolution
3. Understand how the Enlightenment ideals of the French Revolution spread beyond its borders.

Big Question: How did the elite of Europe’s monarchies work to reverse the progress of the French Revolution?

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A People Become a Nation

Napoleon’s conquests and wars awakened nationalistic feelings in Britain, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Russia.

Nationalism: Identifying with your own country to the exclusion or detriment of others

In this transformative period, individuals began to view themselves in a new light, identifying themselves as citizens of a nation. This was a significant departure from the past, where their identities were primarily tied to being the subjects of a king or lord. This shift in self-perception marked a profound change in societal structures and individual self-awareness.

This was in large part because Napoleon had reshaped conquered governments across Europe and had taken away the privileges of the nobility.

“Natural divisions and the spontaneous, innate tendencies of the peoples will take the place of the arbitrary [random] divisions, sanctioned by evil governments.  The map of Europe will be redrawn.  The countries of the Peoples, defined by the vote of free men, will arise upon the ruins of the countries of kings and privileged castes [social classes], and between these countries harmony and fraternity will exist…Then may each one of you, fortified by the power and affection of many millions, all speaking the same language, gifted with the same tendencies, and educated by the same historical tradition, hope even by your own single efforts to be able to benefit all Humanity.”

Giuseppe Mazzini, The Duties of Man (1860)

Concert of Europe

The victors of the Napoleonic Wars – Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia (known as the Quadruple Alliance) – met in 1814 at the Congress of Vienna to arrange peace.

The most influential diplomat at the Congress of Vienna was Prince Klemens von Metternich of Austria who wanted to change things to the way they were before the French Revolution.

Metternich believed in an idea called Legitimacy which called for the return of the royal families of Europe from before Napoleon.

He believed that if the former Kings and Queens took control in Europe that it would ensure peace and stability.

Metternich promoted three key parts to his plan:

• Put the former Monarchs of these countries back in charge
• Redraw European countries’ borders to prevent border disputes.
• The beliefs of these leaders was known as Conservatism
  • Conservatism is a political philosophy which is based on tradition, social stability, and obedience to political authority and organized religion

To maintain peace in Europe the major powers agreed to meet in conferences yearly to deal with any issues that may arise – these meetings were called the Concert of Europe

The powers also agreed to send their armies into countries in order to help them maintain the rule of their monarchies.

The Monarchs of Europe wanted to go BACK to 1789 before the French Revolution to…