Liberal Revolutions and the Congress of Vienna
Key Concepts of Liberalism and the Congress of Vienna
Natural Rights and Liberalism
1. Which natural rights did Locke believe all people had?
The right to protect their life, health, liberty, and freedom; the right to choose their government.
Social Background of 19th-Century Liberals
2. What was the social background of liberals in the 1800s? What were they after?
In the 19th century, most liberals came from the middle classes. They wanted greater freedom and an end to the nobility’s privileges.
Aims of the Congress of Vienna
3. What were the main aims of the Congress of Vienna?
To prevent revolutions against hereditary monarchs and to prevent future wars.
Principle of Compensation
4. Look at the map. Find at least two examples of the principle of compensation.
Examples include:
- Austria gained territory in what is now Italy.
- Russia gained most of Poland and Finland.
- Britain gained overseas colonies.
- Sweden gained Norway.
Principle of Legitimacy
5. Look at the map. Find at least two examples of the principle of legitimacy.
Bourbon monarchs were restored in France, Spain, and the Two Sicilies.
Dissatisfaction with the Congress of Vienna
6. Which people were unhappy with the outcome of the Congress? Why?
Liberals who believed in the Enlightenment were unhappy because they thought it was a return to the Ancien Régime.
2 Liberal Revolutions of the 19th Century
Instigators and Purpose of Liberal Revolutions
1. Who was behind the liberal revolutions of the 19th century? What was their main purpose?
The middle and working classes. In Europe, they wanted to transform the conservative society created by the Congress of Vienna by creating new republics or establishing constitutional monarchies. In Latin America, they wanted to achieve independence and create new liberal republics.
Demands of the Liberals
2. What were the liberals’ demands?
Political liberalism, such as universal suffrage, equality before the law, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press.
Opposition to Liberal Revolutions
3. Who opposed the liberal revolutions? What was their main goal?
The upper classes. Conservatives believed in conserving a traditional society, based on religious values.
Division Between Middle and Working Classes
4. Why did the middle class and the working class divide after the liberal revolutions?
Because the middle class became more powerful and supported the upper-class interests (capitalism), and as a consequence, the working class (proletariat) understood that they did not have the same interests.
Consequences of Liberal Revolutions
5. What were the consequences of the liberal revolutions?
- France went from being a conservative monarchy to a liberal monarchy, before becoming a republic, an empire, and finally a republic again.
- Nationalists succeeded in creating new nation-states in Germany, Italy, and Greece.
- Spain became a liberal state, but this was opposed by the conservative Carlists.
- The Spanish colonies in the Americas gained independence, inspired by liberal ideals.
Ferdinand VII’s Rule
6. What kind of ruler was Ferdinand VII?
He was an absolute monarch.
Isabella II’s Rule
7. And Isabella II?
She was a moderate constitutional monarch.
Supporters of Isabella II
8. Who supported Isabella II?
Liberals and moderate conservatives who believed in the separation of powers and wanted to modernize the economy. The government and the towns supported Isabella.
Charles, Count of Molina, and His Supporters
9. Who was Charles, Count of Molina, and who supported him?
He was Ferdinand’s younger brother, and he was supported by people who wanted a traditional society, based on the Catholic religion and absolute monarchy, but they did not want a female monarch. Carlists had most support amongst the clergy and peasants in rural areas.
Carlist Wars
10. How many Carlist wars were fought? Who won them?
There were three Carlist wars; they were won by Isabella’s supporters: liberals and moderate conservatives.