The Rise of radical Ideas Post 1815

Dear Journal,

As the years pass by I realize that myself; an upper middle class aristocratic man seeking a certain lifestyle, has seen history write itself as my great country of France reacts to or is effected by the early stages of radical thought and socialism. For me the idea of Liberalism was a way of business and life I was thrilled with being involved with. Liberalism demanded representative government, equality before the law, and individual freedoms. Economically this was known as laissez-faire; an economy left unregulated. It was my kind of economy even being referred to as a middle-class doctrine, it was used to exclude the lower classes from government and business though. But, Liberalism wasn't the only radical change in thought in Europe and France that I had the pleasure of experiencing.

Nationalism followed shortly thereafter 1815 it was the idea of cultural unity. Nationalists wanted to turn cultural unity into political reality, they wanted people with common beliefs to have more of a common bond this new industrial society needed better communication with language and cultural unity. Nationalists believed that every nation had the right to exist in freedom. This idea of nationalism was more political then what I was really interested in as an upper middle class man, but I believe that having strong pride for ones nation is important.


I can't wait to see if any other radical ideas develop in the next few years.. this time in France in very exciting for me! I am fortunate to be well educated and realize that history is happening right before my eyes.. I wonder whats next!


Till next time,
John J. Dubois

The Main Objective of the Congress of Vienna and the Effects of Napoleon on France...

The Congress dealt with numerous issues: the status of our nation (France), the new political boundaries, the response to liberal and national attitudes sweeping the continent, the fate of those powers who had lost territory during Napoleon's wars, and the future of dispossessed dynasties. The solutions proposed were moderate ones. We (France) were orignially allowed to return to our 1792 boundaries; however, after Napoleon's return and the One Hundred Days, the allies cut back the boundaries and gave us even more penalties. They pretty much just ignored the democratic, liberal, and nationalistic forces in favor of a traditional solution to the upheavals of the past twenty-five years. The events since 1789 had greatly altered the map of Europe. I mean come on the thousand-year-old Holy Roman Empire had disappeared. In an attempt to restore some balance, the Congress followed four principles: legitimacy, encirclement of France, compensation, and balance of power. France would never be the same.

France vs. Britain

We (France) were at first going along with the same things as Britain but then we decided to deceive them so we could win. Napoleon had shafted us of many territories so we at least wanted to make those territories we once controlled go to good countries. Britain had some of the same views as us but we had to go against them towards the end as it seemed like we had very different viewpoints.

Britain Vs. France

Britain and France were basically allies throughout the Congress of Vienna. We (Britain) wanted some countries to go independent and others to Austria and Prussia for the first few items. It seems that France wanted basically the same things as us until the end. We didn't really know who to trust as everyone was deceiving and France ended up being deceiving as they wanted a weak Austrian Confederation. We wanted a strong alliance/ Confederation but France, after all we went through, would not take our side. I feel used.

France Vs. Russia

This is blasphemy! The other nations are shunning down upon our nation. Napolean hsa dug us into a hole which no man would be capable of escaping. Russia is pushing hard. Russia seems to have much initiative in their decisions. They seem to want any lands they can grasp. Hopefully the rest will stab Russia in the back. Dam Napolean has made France look terrible and the rest of the countries want back what Napolean earned. Russia seems to be a future victor of this congress. Napolean will pay in the afterlife for causing much pain upon Frances reputation.

-Unanimous

Russia Vs. France

France seems to be lacking initiative. During the congress, France seemed to be very unorganized and unmotivated to earn land. France was very outnumbered by the other alliances within the congress. Russia is here to earn back what was lost due to the mess of Napoleans objectives. Russia will triumph in this congress and bitter revenge will come in Frances future. Some lands are proving more important than others, we must watch out very backs. There seems to be much tension going on between alliances. Backstabbing is on the horizon. All I, and the rest of the nations know, is that France shall be shot down. France seems to not have much luck, for much of Napoleans crude decisions have put France under a blackening shadow. We shall see who is victorious in this Congress. All I can see, is that France will not prevail.

-Unanimous

The French Revolution: The Causes

Causes of the French Revolution

Rather than simple disloyalty to the king, many different causes contributed to the downfall of the ancien régime. Throughout the 18th century, the development of Enlightenment thought led to increasing criticism of absolute monarchy and an interest in republican ideas. Literature by such writers as Voltaire, John Locke, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau critiqued the monarchy and the Catholic Church and examined democratic forms of government. Enlightenment writings were widely discussed in France, and they even played a role in the outbreak of the American Revolution in 1776.

Second, a financial crisis contributed to the outbreak of the French Revolution. France's heavy military aid during the American Revolution resulted in a national debt of approximately four billion livres in 1789. The country could not afford to meet its loan payments and it could not obtain more credit.

Third, compounding the financial crisis, a long cycle of industrial depression had been in effect since 1770. Some 50% of people in urban areas were unemployed. Successive bad harvests, especially in 1788, made the situation even worse. The most populated country in Europe could not feed itself. Starving commoners could not afford to buy bread, and food shortages contributed to bread riots, burning, and looting.

Fourth, members of the lower classes began to realize their lack of power in the government. The peasants, already burdened by the food shortages, were increasingly aware of the injustice of the feudal system, whereby the nobles enriched themselves through the toil and taxes of the commoners. Moreover, a relatively wealthy portion of the Third Estate, the members of the growing bourgeoisie, resented their exclusion from political power.

The social unrest and mounting financial problems led Louis XVI to call a meeting of the Estates-General for the first time since 1614.