European Empires: Origins, Politics, Expansion, and Decline

France

Origin

• Began with Napoleon Bonaparte
• Overthrew the monarchy and established the empire

Politics & Economics

• Established two Napoleonic Republics
• Relied heavily on taxation
• Conquests fueled by financial need
• Possessed a formidable military
• Defeated in the Franco-Prussian War
• Lost territory and military power
• Battle of Waterloo marked a turning point
• Focused on conquest rather than rebuilding France
• Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were the last monarchs
• Economy suffered after the Franco-Prussian War

Expansion

• Conquered territories both within and outside Europe
• Lost many territories after the Franco-Prussian War

Britain

Origin

• Formed in the 18th century under Queen Victoria
• Established an empire through extensive conquests
• Queen Victoria's leadership and diplomacy fostered international peace
• Her family's influence in Europe facilitated expansion

Politics & Economy

• Industrial Revolution transformed the economy
• Conservative and liberal factions influenced government policies
• Trade and exports played a vital role in economic growth
• Taxation policies shaped economic direction
• Strong economy with consistent financial stability
• Territories contributed to economic prosperity
• Mercantilist approach focused on financial gain
• Controlled expenses to ensure economic and political stability

Expansion

• Conquered empires primarily for economic purposes
• Established exclusive trade relationships with conquered territories
• Sold conquered territories back to colonies
• Economic stability maintained through these practices
• Empire gradually declined but never fully dissolved

Russia

Origin

• Established as an empire by Peter the Great in 1721
• Wealth inequality led to widespread poverty
• Assassination of Tsar Alexander I by political factions
• Public demand for constitutional government
• Duma National Assembly established but failed to address concerns
• Social demands fueled revolutions in Russia

Germany

Origin

• Unification of Prussia and German states
• Otto von Bismarck played a key role in establishing the empire
• First Prime Minister of Prussia and later of Germany

Politics & Economics

• Federalist structure
• Empire established due to military power
• Victory in the Franco-Prussian War
• Established the gold currency, the Goldsmark
• Rivalry with the USA and Britain
• Industrial Revolution transformed the economy
• Ruled by Wilhelm II, King of Prussia and first Emperor of Germany
• Second largest economy during the First Industrial Revolution
• Second largest empire
• Rapid economic expansion
• Bismarck's policies shaped political and economic advancements
• Unification of Prussia and the North German Confederation boosted the economy

General

Geographical Expansion

• Two methods of conquest: annexation and protectorates

Conflicts & Alliances

• France and Britain: enemies due to Napoleonic Wars
• Alliances formed based on shared interests
• Efforts to prevent German expansion in African colonies
• Crimean War: three conflicts involving Russia and Germany
• Franco-Prussian War: France defeated, Prussia gained power
• Led to World War I
• Territorial disputes were a major cause of conflicts
• Russia: limited international influence until World War I
• Russia: concerned about German expansionism
• European powers largely ignored America in the 19th century

Declines

• Britain: ceased to be an empire after World War I
• France: decline began with the Franco-Prussian War, accelerated by World War I
• Germany: Wilhelm II's involvement in World War I led to loss of power and abdication
• Russia: Russian Revolution of 1917 marked the end of the empire