24.2 Europe Faces Revolutions

Liberal and nationalist uprisings challenge the old conservative order of Europe

Clash of Philosophies

u Three Philosophies: In the early 1800s, three schools of political thought conflict in Europe

u Conservative—landowners and nobles want traditional monarchies

u Liberal—wealthy merchants and business owners want limited democracy

u Radical—believe in liberty and equality. They want everyone to have a vote.

Nationalism Develops

u Nationalism and Nation-States

u Nationalism—loyalty to a nation of people with common culture and history

u Nation-State—nation with its own independent government

u In 1815 Europe, only France, England and Spain are nation-states

u Liberals and radicals support nationalism, but conservatives do not.

Nationalists Challenge Conservative Power

u Greeks Gain Independence

u Balkans—region of Europe controlled by the Ottomans in early 1800s.

u Greece gets European help to gain independence from the Turks.

Nationalists Challenge Conservative Power

u 1830s Uprisings Crushed

u Belgian, Italian, Polish liberals and nationalists launch revolts.

u By the mid-1830s, conservatives are back in control

Nationalists Challenge Conservative Power

u 1848 Revolutions Fail to Unite

u Ethnic uprisings in Europe, especially in the Austrian empire.

u Liberals hold power for short time, but lose to conservatives by 1849

Radicals Change France

u Conservative Defeat

u In 1830, France’s Charles X fails to restore absolute monarchy

u The Third Republic

u In 1848, a Paris mob overthrows the monarchy and sets up a republic

u Radicals split by infighting; moderates control the new government

u 1848 constitution calls for elected president and parliament

Radicals Change France

u France Accepts a Strong Ruleru Louis-Napoleon—

Napoleon Bonaparte’s nephew—is elected president

u Louis-Napoleon later takes the title emperor.

u He promotes industrialization.

Reform in Russia

u Serfdom in Russia

u Czars fail to free the serfs because they fear losing the support of landowners.

Reform in Russia

u Defeat Brings Changeu Russia’s lack of

industrialization leads to military defeat in the Crimean War.

u Alexander II—czar who determines to make social and economic changes

Alexander  II  was  also  called  “Alexander  the  Liberator.”  In  Finland  he  is  known  as  “the  Good  Czar.”  Why?

Photos and Portraits of Alexander II

Reform in Russia

u Reform and Reactionu In 1861, Alexander II

frees the serfs, but debt keeps them on the same land.

u Reform halts when Alexander is assassinated by terrorists in 1881.

u Driven by nationalism, Alexander III encourages industrialization.

The  Church  of  the  Savior  on  Blood  commemorates  the  place  where  Alexander  II  was  assassinated.