The document summarizes the period of 1815-1848 in Europe known as the Restoration. Major powers sought to restore pre-revolutionary monarchies and balance power through alliances like the Holy Alliance and Quadruple/Quintuple Alliance. However, liberal and nationalist ideas inspired revolutions seeking constitutions and more rights. The Congress system intervened to suppress revolutions in Spain, France, Greece, Portugal, and Belgium. France had multiple changes in regime from constitutional to ultra-royalist rule. Britain avoided revolution through parliamentary democracy, legal reforms, and expanding suffrage.

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Restoration and Revolution

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Nationalist ConservativesLiberal

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The Restoration
 After the Congress of Vienna 1815, major powers sought to
restore legitimate rulers and is therefore known as the
Restoration.
 Wanted a balance of power and a collective security against any
future revolutionary upheavals.
 1815 to 1848 illustrates conservatives who want slow change
within the institutional structure and to return to the old regimes
policies.
 Many liberal & national concepts developed by Napoleon where
replaced by conservative rulers
 Spain – removed constitution and brought back Inquisition
 Prussia – retained the abolition of serfdom and religious
toleration.

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The Congress System
 In 1815, Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia
signed the Quadruple Alliance and met regularly
to maintain peace. Eventually included France –
Quintuple Alliance.
 The conservative monarchies of Eastern Europe
– Austria, Russia, Prussia – formed the Holy
Alliance dedicated to protect Christian principles
of religion, peace, and justice. England did not
join, being less fearful of liberalism.

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The Congress System in
Action
 The reactionary forces in Europe faced many revolutions often
under the leadership of military officers & members of liberal secret
societies
 After a series of military revolts, in 1820 the King of Spain was
forced to bring back the Constitution of 1812 making Spain a
constitutional monarchy.
 France provided military support in 1823 of 100 000
soldiers, making it possible for the King to once again remove the
constitution.
 Civil war broke out in Spain, ended with a definitive victory for
constitutional monarchy.
 Other successful revolts include: Greeks, Portugal and Belgium.

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Restoration in France
 Louis XVIII ruled from 1814 to 1824. All people had civil rights and were
equal before the law, but political rights, as in England, were restricted
to males who owned land.
 A group of “Ultras” – ultra royalists wanted to end constitutional
monarchy – Louis held them off near the end of his life
 Louis brother, Charles X (reigned from 1824 – 1830) openly supported
the Ultras.
 In 1830, he suspended the freedom of press and dissolved
parliament, which lead to rebellion by all but the privilege class. Charles
X was sent into exile.
 Charle’s cousin, named King Louis Philippe (1830 – 1848) ruled as the
Citizen King
 Louis Philippe never called himself king of France, but king of the
French. The king was often seen dressed in middle class clothes and
he associated with new moneyed class of France.

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The British Example
 Britain was able to avoid revolution because it had:
 A history of limited monarchy
 Power of a limited parliamentary democracy
 A sound justice system
 Tradition of free speech
 Passed reforms that precluded the need for revolution:
 Restrict the hours of work
 Improved work conditions
 The Reform Act 1832 recognized the growth in urban centers and
it increased the size of the electorate seats from these centers.
 Opened trade by repealing laws that restricted international trade
 Education was provided by the church, with government grants