5 Conservative Order Shaken in Europe Today s Objective - To understand further challenges to the Conservative Order in Europe in the 19 th Century
Russia: The Decembrist Revolt (1825) Russian military officers had formed secret societies after being exposed to enlightened thinking during the Napoleonic Wars wanted representative gov t & abolition of serfdom Death of Czar Alexander I leads to a dispute over succession between his two brothers Nicholas (more conservative) declares himself czar officers of the Moscow regiment refused to swear the oath of allegiance called for a constitution & the installation of Constantine (more liberal) as czar Unable to reach an agreement, Nicholas orders an offensive 60 killed, 5 executed and 100 exiled to Siberia Reign of Nicholas I will become the most extreme autocracy in 19 th century Europe
Official Nationality: In place of reform, Nicholas I will embrace Orthodoxy, Autocracy, and Nationalism - Russian Orthodox faith will provide the basis for morality, education and intellectual life - Autocracy will bring unrestrained power to the czar under the idea that only the czar can keep Russia together - Russian nationality was to be glorified and used as a way to separate Russians from moral corruption in the West Organic Statue (1830) - Polish nationalists sought to depose Nicholas I as their ruler - Declares Poland an integral part of the Russian Empire - Suppresses the revolt with force and establishes Russia as the most willing to use force against liberalism and/or nationalism
France: The July Revolution (1830) Charles X was the successor of Louis XVIII in 1824 firm believer in divine right immediately enacts laws that promote this belief as well as to protect and enhance the aristocratic privilege Liberals in the Chamber of Deputies won a stunning victory Charles X responds with The Four Ordinances aimed at royalist seizure of power - restricted freedom of the press - dissolved the Chamber of Deputies - restricted the franchise to the most wealthy - called for new elections By early August, violence in the streets of Paris forces Charles X to abdicate and flee to exile in England Duke of Orleans, Louis Philippe, was declared king the policies of his July Monarchy were decidedly liberal but still supported the aristocracy & ignored the demands of the working class (Les Miserables)
Belgian Independence: Former Austrian Netherlands 1815: the Kingdom of Holland merged with Belgium 1830: Flemish aristocracy revolted against Dutch rule and within a year had drafted a liberal constitution The Great Powers chose to recognize Belgium as a free and neutral nation-state at The Convention of 1839 preoccupied with issues of their own
Britain: The Great Reform Bill (1832) By 1832: A new sense of accommodation between conservatism and liberalism had made the GRB possible: - Some members of Parliament saw moderate reform as a preemptive strike against revolution - British tradition, law and public opinion showed a strong respect for civil liberties Great Reform Bill (prevents revolt, by inclusion) - expanded the franchise in Britain by 50% - abolished rotten boroughs - created new urban & rural boroughs Catholic Emancipation Act of 1829 Liberalism and the desire to maintain union with Ireland - liberal measure (religious toleration) passed for a conservative purpose (maintaining order in Ireland) - Roman Catholics could now serve in Parliament ends the Anglican monopoly in Britain
ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did the Russian response under Nicholas I differ from that in France & Britain? TARGET QUESTIONS What was the Decembrist Revolt? Explain Official Nationality How was the July Revolution? Why did the Great Powers recognize Belgian Independence? Explain the borough problem in Great Britain?
DAILY ASSIGNMENT Give a brief synopsis of the following: Organic Statue Four Ordinances Great Reform Bill Red Blue Red Catholic Emancipation Act Blue 1 ½ Inches 1 ½ Inches 1 ½ Inches 1 ½ Inches