Question
6. Who was Metternich?What were his guiding principles? What was the Metternich System? (5 marks) 7.Explain the problems the Metternich System encountered. (3 marks) 8.Describe the work of the Congress of Vienna. (2 marks)
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Answer
6. **Who was Metternich? What were his guiding principles? What was the Metternich System?**Klemens von Metternich was the Austrian foreign minister (and later chancellor) from 1809 to 1848. He was the dominant figure at the Congress of Vienna and the architect of the European political order in the decades following the Napoleonic Wars. His guiding principles were **conservatism, legitimacy, and balance of power**. He believed in traditional monarchy, the suppression of liberal and nationalist movements, and maintaining a stable equilibrium among the great powers to prevent any single nation from dominating Europe.The "Metternich System" (also known as the Concert of Europe) refers to the international system he shaped. It rested on several pillars:* **Restoration of legitimate rulers:** Metternich believed that pre-Napoleonic dynasties should be returned to power whenever possible. This aimed to restore traditional order and suppress revolutionary ideas.* **Containment of France:** While not seeking to punish France excessively, the system aimed to prevent future French aggression by creating a strong network of alliances and a balance of power.* **Collective security:** The great powers (Austria, Prussia, Russia, Great Britain, and later France) agreed to cooperate to maintain peace and suppress revolutions. This involved regular congresses and interventions in countries experiencing unrest.7. **Explain the problems the Metternich System encountered.**The Metternich System, while initially successful in maintaining peace, faced several challenges:* **Rise of Nationalism:** The system's emphasis on traditional dynastic rule clashed with the growing force of nationalism, which sought to unite people based on shared language, culture, and history. This led to uprisings and revolutions throughout Europe, particularly in 1830 and 1848.* **Liberal and Democratic Ideals:** The system's repressive nature struggled to contain the spread of liberal and democratic ideas, which advocated for individual rights, constitutional government, and popular sovereignty. These ideals fueled revolutionary movements that challenged the existing order.* **Shifting Power Dynamics:** The balance of power upon which the system relied was constantly shifting. The rise of industrial Britain and the decline of the Ottoman Empire created new tensions and rivalries that the system struggled to manage. Great Britain, increasingly embracing liberal ideas, also became less willing to support Metternich's conservative interventions.8. **Describe the work of the Congress of Vienna.**The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) was a meeting of European powers convened to redraw the map of Europe and establish a new political order after the defeat of Napoleon. Its key achievements included:* **Redrawing boundaries:** Territorial adjustments were made to restore a balance of power and compensate victors. For example, Austria gained territory in Italy and Germany, while Prussia gained territory in the Rhineland.* **Legitimacy and restoration:** The Congress restored many pre-Napoleonic rulers to their thrones, reinforcing the principle of legitimacy. The Bourbon monarchy was restored in France, for instance.* **Creating buffer states:** New states were created, such as the Kingdom of the Netherlands, to act as buffers against future French expansion.* **Establishing the Concert of Europe:** The Congress laid the foundation for the Concert of Europe, a system of international cooperation designed to maintain peace and stability.