Modern Europe Metternich System

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Answer for question #1: I agree that the Metternich system that was put into place after the congress of Vienna could be compared to a fire department putting out the fires of liberty. I believe this because after Napoleon’s reign, the people of Europe still had the taste of liberty and freedom that the Napoleonic times gave them in their mouths. The people that were controlled by Napoleon started to become Liberalist, and with that, they wanted more freedom, new constitutions, civil rights, voting rights, and more individualism. On the other hand, the Metternich system was extremely conservative and wanted Europe to go back to the way it was before Napoleon’s reign. The Metternich system (conservatives) gave the power back to the Nobility and the Clergy, leaving nothing for the bourgeoisie. After the congress of Vienna, the power was given back to the Nobility and the Clergy, therefore, extinguishing the idea of freedom-bringing change to Europe. Answer for Question #2: I think that these revolutions in 1830 and 1848 broke out in France partially because the French people are short-tempered and everything during these times happens in France first, but mainly because at those two times, the people of France didn’t like what their rulers were doing so they revolted. At the time of the 1830 revolution, the radical Charles X was in charge. He had complete power and with that power he forced Catholicism and raised taxes on the bourgeoisie to give money to the nobility and the clergy. The French people revolted after he passed the “July Ordinance” which made free press illegal and got rid of his legislators. After Charles X fled, the people elected Luis-Philippe as king. At first the people liked him, but eventually the economy worsened and he had to raise taxes. The people didn’t like that, so they revolted once again in 1848. If I had lived through these
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