Reaction Vs. Progress

After the Congress of Vienna the rulers of Europe were afraid of another French Revolution occurring so they bonded together to prevent change. The “Concert of Europe” consisted of the European governments working together against the threat of change. The international politicians met several times but ultimately failed to work together because of their differences. 

Map of Europe After the
 "Concert of Europe"

In Great Britain, there was the common cycle of radicalism and repression. The Corn Law was decreed in which a tariff was placed on any corn/grain imports. Riots and protests followed and the government reacted by suspending habeas corpus and forming a secret police. In Manchester, 80,000 people gathered in St. Peter’s Field to demand representation and the soldiers fired on the crowd (Peterloo Massacre). The Six Acts of 1819 censored the press and took away the freedom of assembly.

Peterloo Massacre 

In Spain and Naples there were revolutions as the people protested to get a constitution. Austria’s chancellor, Metternich, was particularly opposed to change and saw the protests as a threat. Metternich called together a congress but Alexander of Russia is the only important representative to attend. During the congress Metternich convinced Alexander to take the conservative view on all the change. Together they made the Protocol of Troppau in which they agreed to work together against revolution in Europe. The Austrian Army was sent into Naples to put a Bourbon back on the throne.

Metternich

Alexander Yipsilanti led the Greeks in a rebellion against the Ottomans in 1822. Metternich freaks out and calls the Congress of Verona. Metternich convinces Alexander to not help out the revolutionaries and the rebellion was crushed. Meanwhile, France sent its army to invade Spain and put a Bourbon on the throne. In Latin America, there were rebellions against the Spanish rule. Metternich does not approve and asked Britain for naval support and they refuse. The Monroe Doctrine is issued from America. The Congress of Verona was the last of the congress system because the European powers were too different to work effectively together.

Congress of Verona

In Russia, Alexander died in 1825 and was succeeded by his eldest son, Nicholas. However, Alexander had another son, Constantine, who was more liberal. Some army officers plot a coup to try to put Constantine on the throne and are brutally crushed (The Decembrist Revolt). Charles X brought back the Old Regime and kicked Parliament out. Parliament got voted back in and it was rewritten that only nobles could be members of the Parliament. A rebellion ensues and Charles flees. Louis Philippe is put on the Russian throne and uses the tricolor for the flag. Philippe brought back the Constitution. 

In the Congress of Vienna, Belgium was given to the Netherlands. The Belgians were culturally different and wanted independence so they rebelled. Nicholas of Russia sent troops in the to crush the rebellion but on the way Poland rebelled and was brutally crushed. In 1831, all five Great Powers recognized Belgium as a sovereign and neutral state.