Crash Course European History: Early 19th Century Europe (1815-1848)

Overview

• Time period: Post-Congress of Vienna (1815) to 1848 revolts.
• Focus on domestic policies, reform, activism, and industrialization.
• Global influence: Independence movements in the Americas.

Congress of Vienna and its Impact

• Led by Prince Metternich to prevent revolutions.
• Despite efforts, reform and activism increased.

Global Influences

• Independence movements in North, Central, and South America from Portugal and Spain.
  • Example: Simone Bolivar inspired by Napoleon.
  • Successful liberation weakened Spain.

Post-Napoleonic Europe

• Rise of citizens' groups and reformist uprisings, often in secret.
• Growth of literacy and demand for constitutions and the rule of law.

Russian Context

• Aristocrats wary of Tsarist dictatorship.
• Decembrist Revolt (1825): Failed attempt to install a more liberal Tsar.
• Nicholas I maintained autocracy.

Revolts and Changes in France

• 1830 French Revolution against Charles X’s censorship and regressive policies.
• Resulted in the installation of Louis-Philippe and a constitutional monarchy.
• Social unrest due to poor urban living and working conditions.

Metternich's Challenges

• Failed to keep peace and prevent activism.
• Secret societies like the Carbonari in Italy sought constitutional government.
• Hungarian nobility sought separation from Austria.

Independence Movements

• Serbian and Greek uprisings against the Ottomans led to independence.

Peterloo Massacre (Britain)

• 1819: Protest against economic hardship and Corn Laws led to massacre.
• Followed by the Six Acts, curtailing rights and assembly.

Irish Struggle

• Irish Catholics discriminated against, property confiscated.
• Act of Union (1801) joined Ireland to Britain.
• Daniel O'Connell (1823) and the Catholic Association sought rights.

Great Reform Act of 1832

• Eliminated 'rotten boroughs' and expanded representation.
• Increased suffrage, though limited.

Rise of Socialism

• Early socialists (Robert Owen, Saint-Simon, Fourier) sought improved social conditions.
• Ideas of utopian communities and organized societies.
• Contribution to modern social sciences.

Evolving Ideas

• Socialism and liberalism evolved in meaning.
• Education seen as a tool for empowerment and participation in governance.

Conclusion

• Education as an opportunity for exposure to diverse ideas and participation.
• Importance of careful listening and attention to impactful ideas.