Europe's Transformation: 1829-1834 & The Vienna Congress

The Second Revolutionary Wave (1829-1834)

The second revolutionary wave, spanning from 1829 to 1834, impacted all of Europe west of Russia and North America. This period coincided with President Jackson's reformist era in the United States. Key events include:

• Belgium gaining independence from Holland in 1830.
• Suppression of the Polish revolution by Russian forces.
• Political upheaval in Italy and Germany.
• The triumph of liberalism in Switzerland and Spain.
• Civil wars erupting in Portugal.
• England's acceptance of the Reform Act of 1832.

This wave, more significant than the 1820 uprisings, marked the decline of aristocratic power. Constitutional political systems emerged in England, France, and Belgium. In America, Jacksonian democracy further weakened the influence of wealthy oligarchs.

Driven by economic and social unrest, the 1830 revolutions had two main outcomes:

1. Mass political action and revolution, mirroring 1789, became possible. The Bourbons were overthrown in Paris due to a combined political and economic crisis.
2. With the rise of capitalism, the working poor increasingly identified with the working class.

These revolutions created divisions between radical and moderate liberals. Europe became divided into two distinct regions:

West of the Rhine

Monarchical influence waned. Moderate liberalism prevailed in France, England, and Belgium. Radical liberalism faced challenges in Switzerland and Spain, where power struggles persisted.

East of the Rhine

Revolutions were suppressed, and national issues overshadowed other concerns. This dynamic mirrored the pre-1830 era.

The revolutionary movements largely failed across Europe, dividing moderates and radicals, and leading to localized solutions that strengthened nationalism.

The Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna addressed the challenge of establishing peace in post-Napoleonic Europe. Its primary goal was to rebuild and reorganize territories while preventing further large-scale wars. The Congress achieved considerable success, as no major war occurred between Napoleon's defeat and the Crimean War (1854-1856).

The Congress aimed to create an anti-liberal, anti-national, and anti-revolutionary order. Key outcomes for major powers included:

France

France was treated leniently. Its borders were slightly expanded compared to 1789, war reparations were reasonable, and foreign troop occupation ended in 1818. France rejoined the European Concert and was granted a new constitution, the Charter, by King Louis XVIII.

Great Britain

Great Britain focused on maintaining its maritime and commercial dominance. It retained Malta, the Ionian Islands, and Heligoland, and benefited from Sweden's acquisition of Norway and the union of Holland and Belgium.

Russia

Russia gained Finland from Sweden, Bessarabia from Turkey, and a large portion of Poland.

Austria and Prussia

Austria and Prussia served as stabilizing forces in Europe. Austria regained its Italian provinces and small principalities in northern and central Italy, tasked with maintaining order in the region. Prussia received Rhineland and Saxony, economically significant territories.

The Germanic Confederation

Comprising numerous German states, including Austria and Prussia, the Confederation aimed to keep smaller states outside French influence.