Glossary
Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings in 1814-1815 among European powers to redraw the continent's political map after the defeat of Napoleonic France and restore a conservative balance of power.
Example:
The Congress of Vienna aimed to prevent future French aggression and suppress revolutionary movements by re-establishing monarchical rule and traditional borders.
Edmund Burke
A prominent Irish statesman and philosopher, known for his conservative views and his critique of the French Revolution, which he saw as a dangerous and radical break from tradition.
Example:
Edmund Burke's 'Reflections on the Revolution in France' became a foundational text for conservative thought, arguing against rapid societal change.
French Revolution
A period of radical social and political upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799 that profoundly influenced European history, challenging traditional monarchical and aristocratic power structures.
Example:
The storming of the Bastille is often seen as the symbolic start of the French Revolution, signaling the end of absolute monarchy in France.
Haitian Revolution
A successful anti-slavery and anti-colonial insurrection by self-liberated slaves against French rule in Saint-Domingue, leading to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic.
Example:
Inspired by the ideals of the French Revolution, the Haitian Revolution demonstrated that enslaved people could successfully fight for their freedom and establish their own nation.
Hundred Days' War
The period in 1815 when Napoleon I escaped from exile on Elba, returned to France, and briefly regained power before his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo.
Example:
Despite his initial success during the Hundred Days' War, Napoleon's return ultimately led to his permanent exile to Saint Helena.
Klemens von Metternich
An Austrian statesman and diplomat who served as the foreign minister of Austria for over 30 years and was a central figure at the Congress of Vienna, advocating for conservatism and the balance of power.
Example:
Klemens von Metternich was a staunch opponent of liberalism and nationalism, believing they threatened the stability of the multi-ethnic Austrian Empire.
Liberalism
A political philosophy emphasizing individual rights, constitutional government, free markets, and limited government intervention, often associated with the middle class in the 19th century.
Example:
Advocates of liberalism in the 19th century often pushed for reforms like expanded suffrage and freedom of the press.
Liberty, Fraternity, Equality
The core ideals and rallying cry of the French Revolution, representing freedom from oppression, unity among citizens, and equal rights for all.
Example:
Revolutionary pamphlets often invoked the principles of Liberty, Fraternity, Equality to inspire citizens to overthrow the old regime.
Napoleon
A French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars, eventually crowning himself Emperor of the French.
Example:
Napoleon's strategic brilliance allowed him to dominate much of continental Europe for over a decade, fundamentally reshaping its political map.
Napoleonic Code
The French civil code established under Napoleon I in 1804, which codified several branches of law, including property, family, and contracts, and influenced legal systems across Europe.
Example:
Even today, many European legal systems bear the imprint of the Napoleonic Code, particularly in their emphasis on clear, written laws.
Napoleonic Wars
A series of major conflicts from 1803 to 1815 that pitted the French Empire and its allies, led by Napoleon I, against a fluctuating array of European powers.
Example:
The Napoleonic Wars spread revolutionary ideas like nationalism and conscription across Europe, even as they sought to contain French expansion.
Nationalism
A political ideology emphasizing the loyalty and devotion of an individual to a particular nation-state, often based on shared culture, language, or history, and advocating for national self-determination.
Example:
The rise of nationalism in the 19th century led to movements for unification in Italy and Germany, as well as independence movements in various empires.