What is the Metternich system? Discuss the features of the Metternich system.
What is the Metternich system? Discuss the features of the Metternich system.
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Metternich system:-
In the history of Europe, from 1815 to 1848, the Austrian Prime Minister Prince Metternich was the main controller of European history. Therefore, this period is called the "Metternich era" in the history of Europe. During this period, Metternich introduced a conservative and old-fashioned regime throughout Europe. This regime introduced by Metternich is known as the "Metternich system" or "Metternichism". Metternich's main objective was to prevent revolutionary ideas throughout Europe and to introduce the old regime.
Features of Metternich system:-
1. Preventing revolutionary ideas:-
Metternich was a supporter of monarchical ideas. The revolutionary ideas that arose in France and throughout Europe as a result of the French Revolution - Metternich's main objective was to prevent that revolutionary idea. Metternich was politically strongly opposed to the ideals of liberty, equality, liberalism, fraternity, etc. that emerged from the French Revolution. Therefore, Metternich was determined to prevent this type of ideology.
2. Conservatism: -
Metternich strongly opposed all the revolutionary changes that came to France as a result of the French Revolution. He believed in conservative ideals. Therefore, during Metternich's rule, he thwarted all the progressive changes that emerged from the French Revolution.
3. Pre revolutionary Régime: -
During Metternich's rule, Europe returned to the pre-revolutionary state. All the old dynasties were re-established on the thrones of Europe. For example, after Napoleon, Louis XVIII of the Bourbon dynasty ascended to the throne of France. Even the newspapers were strictly controlled so that progressive and modern ideas were not propagated.
4. Establishing the dominance of Austria in European politics:-
During his time, Metternich wanted to establish the dominance and dictatorship of Austria in European politics. In the situation at that time, the states like France, Holland, Prussia, etc. had become very powerless. Especially after the fall of Napoleon, no influential leadership emerged in European politics. Metternich wanted to use this opportunity to make Austria the controlling power of Europe.
5. Reorganization of Europe and maintaining the balance of power:-
Metternich took many steps to maintain the balance between European powers. For example, Belgium was attached to Holland, three districts bordering France were attached to Switzerland, Genoa was attached to Savoy and Sardinia, the districts of the Rhine region were attached to Prussia - etc.
6. Weakening France: -
Since revolutionary ideas were born in France, Metternich wanted to weaken France as much as possible - so that no new revolutionary ideas could spread in France and endanger the leadership of Austria. For this purpose, Metternich took many steps. For example, the French army was disbanded and Allied troops were deployed there for five years, about 750 million francs were collected from France as compensation, the borders of France were reorganized - etc.
7. International cooperation policy: -
On the one hand, Metternich wanted to establish balance in European politics and establish conservatism; and on the other hand, he wanted to establish the primacy of Austria in European politics. While adopting various policies and steps for this purpose, he did not deny the importance of international cooperation.
8. Carlsbad Decree: -
Metternich wanted to uproot liberal ideas. He was able to realize that if the spread of revolutionary ideas in the intellectual world could not be prevented, it would soon rise to the surface. For this purpose, Metternich issued the Carlsbad Decree. Through this directive, students, teachers, educational institutions - everyone was instructed to refrain from liberal and progressive ideas.
9. Control on monarchy: -
In the post-Napoleonic era, all the dynasties that were re-established in Europe after the Vienna Conference - were directly or indirectly under the control of Metternich. Metternich was able to establish his conservative ideology on these dynasties. He used to instruct the dynasties - govern, but do not change (Govern but change nothing).
10. Establishment of absolute dominance in Austria: -
After the Vienna Conference, Metternich's absolute dominance was established in Austria. He ordered all educational institutions in Austria to stop the propagation of revolutionary ideas. He also ordered the teaching of progressive subjects - philosophy, ethics, logic - in educational institutions. He even appointed spies in each educational institution to keep an eye on whether his orders were being followed properly.
Finally, although Metternich's absolute dominance in European politics from 1815 to 1848 AD was maintained, the reason for his downfall was hidden in Metternich's policies. Because, every decision of Metternich was forced on the European powers; there was not even a trace of public support in it.
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