Category: History
Role of Philosophers in French Revolution: There had been growing in Europe throughout the 18th century, a revolutionary spirit. This spirit was fostered particularly by the writings of French thinkers and literary men, the philosophers. French held the foremost place in the world of thought. But this Enlightenment was heralded by the work of such men …
Impact of the American Civil War: The American Civil War was the greatest historical experience of the American people, comparable to the revolution of 1789 in France. It settled certain differences, and it settled them permanently. It destroyed slavery and assured the ascendancy of industrial capitalism. Furthermore, it preserved the Union and stabilized the modern American …
July Revolution Consequences: The July Revolution was an unexpected affair. It had brought about the end of Charles X and had integrated the reign of Louis Phillippe. It resulted mainly in the transfer of administration from one set of politicians to another. The changes introduced into the constitution were of minor importance. The king was deprived …
July Revolution of 1830: After the fall of Napoleon, the Bourbon line of King was restored in the person of Louis XVIII, brother of Louis XVI. The new monarch was determined to act constitutionally. He issued the famous Constitutional Charter which established a legislature of two houses- the Chamber of Peers, appointed for life and the …
Modernization of Japan in the 19th Century: When the Asian countries were writhing under the clutches of Western imperialistic exploitation, a small island-country Japan not only succeeded in keeping off imperialist powers at bay but also laid the foundation of the rise of a powerful nation. The Meiji reinstitution (1868) uprooted feudalism in Japan and through …
The Greek War of Independence 1827-29: The Greeks were the first to achieve their emancipation. Though forming part of the Ottoman Empire, the Greeks enjoyed a practical independence subject only to their sending to Constantinople an annual tribute in money and in sailors to man the imperial navy. The memories of Hellenic culture also contributed to …
The Revolution of 1820: The chief European powers who made a territorial settlement at Vienna were determined that they must keep Europe at peace. Two international organizations were ready to do this- the Holy Alliance and the Quadruple Alliance. The Holy Alliance met with failure. But the same could not be said of the Quadruple Alliance …
Metternich System: The period from 1815 to 1848 has usually been called the ‘Era of Metternich’ for during these years he was the central figure in European politics. For the preservation of Habsburg dominion inhabited by Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Croats, Rumanians, and Poles, Metternich devised his famous system. He was the apostle of conservatism. ‘Govern and …
Criticism of the Vienna Settlement: The territorial adjustments made at the Congress of Vienna ignored the principles of liberalism and nationalism. It was in defiance of the principle of nationalism, Austria was given a commanding position in Italy, that Norway was handed from Denmark to Sweden and Belgium was united with Holland. Germany and Italy were …
Vienna Settlement: After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, it was decided that a Congress should be held at Vienna to undertake the task of territorial reconstruction. The territorial settlement made at Vienna was signed in June 1815 before the battle of Waterloo. It was in effect made by the representatives of the five Great Powers. …
