Klemens von metternich definition world history
Clemens Lothar Metternich: The Man Who Saved “Old Europe” From Napoleon
“W
ith
a minister like him, I would dare conquer the world.”
The Russian czar was heard saying this about the first minister of the Austrian monarchy, Clemens Lothar Metternich. A skillful diplomat and political genius, he stood as one of the makers of Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat. Yet any gratitude that Europe felt for the peace he brought her vanished later. Metternich became a symbol of an old, stale regime that could stay in power only through censorship and secret police. In 1848 all the nations around Europe demanded his head.
The Old Man Sitting at His Table: Metternich in 1859
The year is 1859. An old man is sitting in Vienna at his table and writing. His name is Clemens Lothar Metternich. He is deaf. God has taken away his only remaining source of happiness. No longer could he delve into endless discussions with influential politicians. All that remained was his pen. So, he kept writing. And they all kept coming to visit the old man — especially the emperor.
The young, energetic emperor, Franz Joseph, often asked for his advice and Metternich was very eager to provide it. In fact, he gave
Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg-Beilstein
(May 15, 1773 – June 11, 1859) was an Austrian politician and statesman and perhaps the most important diplomat of his era. He was a major figure in the negotiations leading to the Congress and Treaty of Vienna and is considered both a paradigm of foreign policy management and a major figure on the development of diplomacy. He took part in European Congresses at Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), Troppau (1820), Laibach (1821), and Verona (1822). Metternich was a conservative, who favored traditional, even autocratic, institutions over what he saw as their radical alternatives, such as democratic systems, if the establishment of the latter meant, as they often did, the violent overthrow of the former.
However, he was an enthusiastic supporter of what was called the Concert of Europe. Metternich wanted stability, not revolution. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars and the Congress of Vienna, Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia began to meet to try to resolve impending crises peacefully. What has been described as a predecessor of the League of Nations evolved, although the Concert never had a formal mechanis
key term - Klemens von Metternich
Definition
Klemens von Metternich was an influential Austrian diplomat and statesman who played a pivotal role in European politics during the early 19th century, particularly known for his leadership in the Congress of Vienna. His main focus was to restore conservative order and maintain stability in Europe following the upheaval caused by the Napoleonic Wars. Metternich's efforts were instrumental in establishing the framework for the Concert of Europe, which sought to balance power among nations and suppress revolutionary movements across the continent.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Metternich served as the Foreign Minister of Austria for over three decades, influencing European politics from 1809 until his resignation in 1848.
He was a key architect of the Concert of Europe, which established a system of alliances to manage international relations and prevent wars in Europe.
Metternich was opposed to liberalism and nationalism, fearing that these movements could disrupt the conservative order he sought to maintain.
His diplomatic strategies included forming coalitions against France during the Napoleonic Wars and negoti
key term - Prince Klemens von Metternich
Definition
Prince Klemens von Metternich was an Austrian diplomat and statesman who played a key role in shaping European politics in the early 19th century, particularly during the Congress of Vienna. He is known for advocating conservative policies aimed at restoring the balance of power in Europe after the Napoleonic Wars, promoting monarchies, and suppressing nationalist and liberal movements.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Metternich served as Austria's foreign minister and was instrumental in crafting the agreements made at the Congress of Vienna.
He believed that maintaining a balance of power was essential for preventing future conflicts in Europe, which influenced his diplomatic strategies.
Metternich's conservative approach included opposition to nationalism and liberalism, which he viewed as threats to monarchical authority.
He promoted the idea of legitimacy, advocating for the restoration of traditional monarchies over revolutionary governments.
Metternich's policies led to the establishment of the Concert of Europe, where major powers worked together to manage international relations and suppr