Western Civilization II

Philosophical Conservatism

Not rejection of all change, but reaction to violent upheaval of revolution

Believed in evolution – building on the best traditions

Edmund Burke opposed French Revolution because it threw away tradition and culture

Edmund Burke

Religious Conservatism

Particularly resented Jacobin attempt to destroy Church

Joseph de Maistre championed papal supremacy (ultramontanism)

Argued religion, not science, was true civilizing force

Joseph de Maistre

Political Conservatism Power & privileges of aristocracy are necessary

for social harmonyAristocracy defined as rule of the bestAristocrats had necessary experience & education

Scoffed at idea of “natural rights” and abstract theories of governmentInstitutions evolve over time to meet particular needs

of a societyMust be based on history & national character

(volkgeist)

The Concert of Europe

Congress of Vienna (1814-15) est. principles of legitimacy & maintaining the balance of powerNetherlands, Prussia & Piedmont-

Sardinia strengthened as buffers against France

Concert of Europe: Great Powers agreed to meet periodically to maintain the balance of power

Great Britain dropped out in 1822 because unwilling to put down liberal revolutions in Italy & Spain

Holy Alliance: France, Austria, Prussia & RussiaWanted to undo revolutions in Spanish

American colonies, but blocked by Britain & U.S. (Monroe Doctrine)

Klemens von Metternich

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Europe after 1815

Latin American Revolutions

Conservatism in Practice: France

Louis XVIII (1814-1824): “L’union et l’oublie”Kept Concordat & Code CivilCharter had bicameral legislature, but

suffrage limited to wealthiest 100,000 Charles X (1824-1830): “Le trone

et l’autel”Tried to replace individualism with

medieval corporatismLaw of Sacrilege made tampering with

the Host a capital crime Dismissed liberal Chamber of

Deputies in March 1830 & issued drastic July Ordinances censoring press

King Louis XVIII

King Charles X

The July Revolution (1830)

The July Monarchy July Revolution of 1830

placed Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, on the throneCalled the “Citizen King”Wore business suits & hats

Tried to recreate the liberal constitutional monarchy of 1789-1792Repudiated ultramontanism &

corporatismSuffrage only doubled to 200,000Francois Guizot stabilized

economy, 1840-47

King Louis Philippe

The Revolution of 1848

Economic depression & foolish attempts to suppress dissent led to revolt in Feb. 1848

End of Socialist Louis Blanc’s National Workshops sparked June Days uprisingBrutally suppressed by Cavaignac

Constitution of 1848 created unicameral legislature & president elected by universal male suffrage

Liberty

The Second Republic

Dec. 1848 presidential election was landslide win for Louis Napoleon Bonaparte

Monarchists in legislature divided between the Legitimists and Orleanists

Dec. 2, 1851 coup d’état extended presidential term to 10 years & reduced legislature’s power

Dec. 1852 – Emperor Napoleon III crowned

Louis Napoleon Bonaparte