Western civilization history and key developments

Western Civ

The Congress of Vienna had a profound impact on the geo-political boundaries of Europe. After the defeat of Napoleon, all territories garnered by France were divided. The Congress delegates also addressed ancillary territorial disputes due to the breakdown of existing power structures and monarchies throughout the continent. Ferdinand VII was restored in Spain and Louis XVIII in France. The German Confederation was formed, while Italy was carved up into duchies and awarded to vying rulers. Likewise, Poland was divided up between Russia, Austria, and Prussia. Austrian territories were expanded to include parts of Italy. Switzerland was also expanded and made into a guaranteed neutral territory. Great Britain received some former Dutch and Spanish colonies in Asia, Africa, and the West Indies. Russia benefited significantly from the Congress, receiving much of Poland as well as Finland. Norway and Sweden were united under a common crown.

The predominant cause of the French Revolution was social strife and class conflict. A burgeoning bourgeoisie grew tired of the ancien regime, the old-school class stratifications in French society that denied political rights to anyone but the Clergy and Nobility. Known as "estates" the classes in French society were rigidly hierarchical and directly linked to economic and political power. Clergy and nobility occupied the First and Second Estates, respectively. However, the bourgeoisie grew substantially both in numbers and in wealth, to challenge the existing structures. Referred to collectively as the Third Estate, the bourgeoisie and the peasant classes drew upon Enlightenment philosophy to organize a revolt against the monarchy. Moreover, the American Revolution inspired the Third Estate.

3. Power refers to political and economic clout. Sociologically, power is usually concentrated in the hands of a few elite groups. Similarly, the historical manifestations of power show that a few nation-states can dominate decision-making throughout an entire region. Power can translate into global influence and can be forged and maintained through strategic political or military alliances. In the nineteenth century, power relations in Europe were shifting rapidly. The Napoleonic Wars resulted in new geo-political boundaries in Europe. Formerly formidable monarchies weakened while the nation-state emerged as the new form of power on the continent. Imperialism also became a key source of power for European nations. Colonial landholdings by the British, French, Spanish, and Dutch strengthened those nations politically and economically. Power could be substantiated by nationalistic propaganda. After 1870, the balance of power in Europe changed to accommodate for the emergence of two newly unified nations: Germany and Italy. The strategic alliances forged between various nation-states in Europe and the corruption that ensued led to the First and Second World Wars. Those wars in turn altered the balance of power throughout the world, allowing the United States to emerge as a superpower. Thus, nation-states in power, which are headed by elite and powerful social groups, help determine the course of history. Power is influence over a specific geographic region and can possibly translate to power globally.