# AP European History: Napoleon, Congress of Vienna, and Conservatism 🚀 Hey! Let's nail this review. We're diving into a crucial period: the aftermath of Napoleon and the rise of conservatism. This is high-stakes stuff, so let's make it stick! ## Napoleon's Impact & Legacy Napoleon wasn't just a conqueror; he was a disruptor! - He spread revolutionary ideas (even if he was a dictator). - His conquests reshaped the map of Europe. - His **Napoleonic Code** influenced legal systems. - His downfall created a power vacuum. Napoleon’s legacy is complex: while he was a military dictator, his reforms and the ideas he spread had a lasting impact on Europe. ## The Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) After Napoleon's defeat, Europe needed to pick up the pieces. Enter the **Congress of Vienna**, a meeting of the Great Powers to restore order. ### Goals of the Congress - **Principle of Legitimacy:** Restore monarchs to power. 👑 - **Balance of Power:** Ensure no single nation dominates. 💪💪 - **Contain France:** Strengthen surrounding countries. 🇫🇷 Remember **LBC** for the Congress of Vienna: **L**egitimacy, **B**alance of Power, **C**ontain France. ### Key Players and Their Agendas | **Name** | **Country** | **Goals** | |------------------|-------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Metternich | Austria | Peace in Europe / Control German & Italian states | | Alexander I | Russia | Peace in Europe / Control Poland | | Talleyrand | France | Don’t divide France into pieces | | Castlereagh | England | Strengthen German & Italian states / Stop Russia | | Hardenberg | Prussia | Wants Poland but willing to compromise | Metternich was the mastermind behind the Congress of Vienna. He was all about maintaining the old order. ### The Concert of Europe - The **Quadruple Alliance** (Austria, Britain, Russia, Prussia) formed to prevent future revolutions. - **Principle of Intervention:** Use military force to suppress uprisings. - England opposed intervention, showing cracks in the alliance.

Caption: The Congress of Vienna aimed to restore the old order in Europe after Napoleon's defeat. ## The Rise of Conservatism The Congress of Vienna wasn't just about redrawing maps; it was about restoring the old ways. This led to the rise of **conservatism**. ### Key Conservative Thinkers - **Klemens von Metternich:** Austrian prince, champion of the old order. He wanted to crush any revolutionary ideas.

- **Edmund Burke:** Irish politician, father of modern conservatism. Believed in slow, gradual change.

- **Joseph de Maistre:** French philosopher, advocated for monarchy and hierarchy.

Think of **M-B-M** for the conservative thinkers: **M**etternich, **B**urke, **M**aistre. Conservatism was a direct response to the French Revolution and Napoleon. It aimed to restore traditional authority and social hierarchies. Don't confuse conservatism with liberalism! Conservatives favored tradition, while liberals wanted reform and individual rights. ## Final Exam Focus Okay, let's get down to brass tacks. Here's what you need to focus on: - **Napoleon's Impact:** How his conquests and reforms changed Europe. - **Congress of Vienna:** The goals, key players, and long-term effects. - **Conservatism:** The main ideas and key thinkers. - **Connections:** How these events relate to the French Revolution and the rise of nationalism. ### Last-Minute Tips - **Time Management:** Don't get bogged down on one question. Move on if you're stuck and come back later. - **FRQs:** Always address all parts of the prompt. Use specific historical evidence to support your arguments. - **MCQs:** Read each question carefully. Eliminate the wrong answers first. - **Stay Calm:** You've got this! Trust your preparation. The Congress of Vienna and the rise of conservatism are high-value topics. Expect to see multiple questions on these themes. ## Practice Questions ### Multiple Choice Questions 1. Which of the following was the primary goal of the Congress of Vienna? (A) To establish a unified European state (B) To restore the balance of power and legitimate monarchies (C) To promote liberal reforms across Europe (D) To establish a system of international courts 2. Which of the following best describes the philosophy of Edmund Burke? (A) Radical revolutionary change (B) Gradual and cautious reform (C) Complete rejection of the past (D) The establishment of a socialist state 3. The Concert of Europe was primarily designed to: (A) Promote free trade among European nations (B) Prevent future revolutions and maintain the balance of power (C) Encourage democratic reforms (D) Establish a common currency ### Free Response Question **Prompt:** Analyze the ways in which the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815) attempted to restore political stability in Europe, and evaluate the extent to which it achieved its goals. **Point-by-Point Scoring Breakdown:** 1. **Thesis (1 point):** A clear, historically defensible thesis that addresses the prompt. * Example: "The Congress of Vienna sought to restore political stability in Europe through the principles of legitimacy, balance of power, and containment of France, achieving some success in the short term but ultimately failing to prevent future conflicts and revolutionary movements." 2. **Arguments/Evidence (4 points):** * **Principle of Legitimacy (1 point):** Explanation of how restoring monarchs was intended to bring stability. * Example: Restoring the Bourbon monarchy in France and other deposed rulers. * **Balance of Power (1 point):** Explanation of how redrawing borders and creating buffer states aimed to prevent any one power from dominating. * Example: The creation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the German Confederation. * **Containment of France (1 point):** Explanation of the measures taken to prevent future French aggression. * Example: Strengthening the states bordering France. * **Limitations (1 point):** Discussion of how the Congress's goals were not fully achieved. * Example: The rise of nationalism and liberalism led to future revolutions. 3. **Synthesis (1 point):** Connect the Congress of Vienna to other historical developments or time periods. * Example: Comparing the Congress of Vienna to the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, or how the rise of nationalism challenged the conservative order established at Vienna. You've got this! Remember to stay focused, use your time wisely, and trust your preparation. Go get that 5! 🌟

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The Concert of Europe and European Conservatism

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