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Strum and Drang
Early romantics in Germany call themselves the Strum and Drang. They saw the growth of modern industry as horrid and idealized nature. They used color and diversity in their paintings. They are significant because they are the precursors to the Romantic movement. -
Adam Smith publishes Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations.
The book supports laissez-faire economics, attacked mercantilism and a main aspect of liberalism. It is significant because the work argued that the free market would create the greatest amount of wealth and set fair prices. SMith's work formed the bulk of economic liberalism and was often attacked by socialists. -
Louis XVIII passes the Royal Charter of 1814
It was a liberal constitution that only gave 100,000 of the wealthiest males the right to vote. -
The first Peace of Paris restores France's 1789 borders and agreed that France would not have to pay war reparations.
This is significant because the victorious powers did not create a spirit of revenge in France. -
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Congress of Vienna
The Congress of Vienna meet to discuss post-war Europe. The powers of Europe, including Great Britian, France, Prussia, Austria and Russia wanted to maintain the balance of European power. Some of their decisions included giving Prussia land on the French border and giving Austria Italian land. Their treatement towards France was generous (although it became less so after the 100 Days). France had to pay no reperations and maintained its 1792 borders. -
Disagreements between the fate of Poland almost led to war between Russia and Prussia and Saxony and France.
Tsar Alexander I wanted to recreate the Kingdom of Poland while Prussia wanted to absorb Saxony. Talleyrand, the British representative, feared that this would upset the balance of power, so he formed a secret alliance with the French. -
Parliament Passes the Corn Laws
The Corn Laws are revised in Parliament by the Tories. They declared that grain could not be imported into England, despite the fact that grain prices were skyrocketing. The regulation ensured that they could continue to charge high prices for grain. The law is significant because it demonstrates the blatant class interests members of Parliament had. -
The Holy Alliance is Formed
The Alliance, originally planned by Metternich, consisted of Russia, Prussia and Austria. The alliance would be used to repress liberal and revolutionary movements throughout Europe, although its power was greatest in Ceentral Europe. -
The Tories suspend Habeas Corpus and peaceful assembly after massive protests against the revised Corn Laws.
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Battle of Peterloo
The British government used armed calvary to break up a peaceful protest against the Corn Laws in Manchester. The battle is significant because it demonstrates the willingness of the British government to maintain its power. -
The Six Acts are Passed
They ban peaceful meeting and controlled an already heavily taxed press. -
Revolutionaries in Spain and Southern Italy force their respective monarchs to pass liberal constitutions.
The event is significant because the Holy Alliance intervened to end the liberal uprisings and restore absolute rule. -
Armed Insurrection to Ottoman Rule Starts in Greece
Alexander Ypsilanti, a Greek patriot and general, leads a rebellion against the Turks controlling Greece. This is significant because the rebellion was started by nationalists. -
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The Greek War of Independence
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Battle of Navarino
Great Britain, France and Russia use their navies to destroy the Turkish fleet after Turkey refused to sign an armistice with the Greek rebels. The battle is significant because it almost ensured that the Greeks would gain their independence. -
Recognition of Greek Independence
Greece is declared to be a new nation by Russia, France and Britain. They would have a new king by 1832. The event is significant because it was one of the first succesful nationalist uprisings in 19th century Europe. -
French Invasion Of Algeria
A 37,000 man French army invades Algiers and takes the capitol in three weeks of fighting (although Algerian tribal resistance would continue until 1847). The event marked the rebirth of French expansionism and imperialism. -
King Charles attempts to repudiate the Constitutional Charter
King Charles attempts to repudiate the Constitutional Charter. The middle class waged an uprising and cause the government to collapse after three days of fighting. Louis Philippe is later sworn in as the "citizen king". -
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Victor Hugo publishes The Hunchback of Notre Dame. The hero of the book is a deformed bell ringer. The book promoted individual freedom. The book is significant because it demonstrates the Romantic Movement's love of exotic historical locations, fantastic characters and human emotion. -
The Reform Bill of 1832
The act gets rid rotten boroughs that had very few people and were used by aristocrats to remain in control. It also increased the number of people eligible to vote by 50%. This bill also demonstrated the frowing power of the House of Commons because it passed it over the objections of the House of Lords. -
Organization of Work is Published
Louis Blanc publishes Organization of Work. In the book, he argues for the right to work. In addition, he insisted that people should take control of their government through elections. His book would cement the concept of "the right to work". -
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The Irish Potato Famine
The potato crop fails in Ireland. The Irish, who heavily depended on the potato for food, lost the majority of their crop to potato blight in the Great Famine. The British government, motivated by laissez-faire economics, refused to act. As a result, the population of Ireland decreased by nearly 4 million and resentment of England became common. -
The People
Jules Micheelet publishes The People. He argues that people had started to recognize their country’s role in the world. -
Reactionaries Start to Regain Control in Austria
The Austrian peasant army ends a working-class riot. In addition, reactionary forces and minorities lead a war against the provisional Hungarian government. Most of Austria is reclaimed by the end of October. -
The Ten Hour Act of 1847
: The Ten Hour Act of 1847 is passed by a Torie majority. The act limited the daily hours of women in children working in factories to ten. This demonstrated cooperation between the aristocracy and the working class could occur when it was in the best interest of both parties. -
The Communist Manifesto is Published
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels publish The Communist Manifesto. The book argues that the modern working class (the proletariat) would overthrow the wealthy middle class (the bourgeoisie) the same way the middle class had overthrown nobles. The book was the foundation of communism, one of the most radical belief systems of the 19th century. -
Louis Phillipe Attempts to Abdicate
Louis Phillipe attempts to abdicate in favor of his grandson. The people of France, tired of rule by a monarch, revolt. They succede in overthrowing the monarchy and establishing the Second Republic. -
Serfdom Abolished in Austria
Serfdom is abolished in Austria by the monarchy. The event helped spark a more radical uprising as workers demanded government workshops and a form of socialism. This demonstrates the desperation of the monarchy to preven a liberal takeover. -
Frederick William IV of Prussia Promises a Liberal COnstitution
This demonstrates the power of liberals within the Prussian state. -
Raid on the Constituent Assembly
Members of the working class raided the Constituent Assembly because Blanc, one of the more radical members, had been removed from the Executive Committee. They feared that the working class would lose its voice, so they proclaimed a new revolutionary state. This event demonstrates the divide between moderate liberals and radical democrats and republicans. -
French Worshops are Closed
In response to the raid, the assembly dissolved French workshops and told the poor to either join the army or go to provincial workshops. This resulted in more rioting. -
Louis Bonaparte Elected
Louis Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon, was elected the executive of France. Members of the midle class feared more rioting, so they gave him near-authoritrian power. -
Conservatives Regain Control of Germany
In Prussia, the National Assembly wrote a liberal constitution and elected King Fredrick William as the new ruler. Fredrick responds by dissolving the National Assembly and writing a conservative constitution. This demonstrated the failure of the Prussian Revolutionaries because Fredrick has ended any chance of creating a liberal nation. -
The Russian Invasion of Hungary
Tsar Nicholas I lends the Austrians a 130,000 man Russian army is brought into Hungary to end a liberal uprising. For years after the uprising is ended, the Habsurgs treated Hungary as a conquered territory. -
German Unification Fails
Fredrick attempts to unify Germany by attempting to convince weaker monarchs to elect him emperor. Austria responded by forcing Prussia to denounce its attempts at the unification of Germany. This is significant because it re-established the German Confederation.