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Klemens von Metternich was a 19th-century Austrian conservative and foreign minister. He was appointed by Francis I to the positions of Hofkanzler and Staatskanzler in 1821. Metternich's conservative policies were favoured by the Russians, and he was known for his success in maintaining the status quo and the Habsburg influence in international affairs. Metternich's era saw the Austrian Empire maintain a stable economy and almost balanced budget, despite the major deficit following the Napoleonic Wars. He played a key role in European diplomacy, particularly in his efforts to counter the territorial ambitions of Napoleon Bonaparte. Metternich's influence extended beyond foreign policy, as he also sought to increase Austrian influence over the German Federal Diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Klemens von Metternich |
| Title | Austrian Foreign Minister; Austrian Ambassador to Russia; Chancellor of Austria; Hofkanzler; Staatskanzler; State Chancellor of the Austrian Empire |
| Known For | Maintaining the status quo and Habsburg influence in international affairs; Maintaining a stable economy and reducing budget deficit; Success in increasing Austrian influence over the German Federal Diet |
| Political Stance | Conservative |
| Policies | Opposed the liberal revolts of 1820; Supported "sympathetic inactivity" in Spain; Supported moderate interventionism in the Troppau Protocol; Attacked the free press and opposed the initiative of the middle classes |
| Influence | Played a key role in the Congress of Vienna, which reaffirmed Austria as a great power of the 19th century; Gained influence over the Tsar of Russia; Influenced Austrian foreign policy in Italy |
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What You'll Learn
Klemens von Metternich's career
Klemens von Metternich was born on May 15, 1773, in Coblenz, Germany, and died on June 11, 1859, in Vienna, Austria. He was an Austrian statesman, minister of foreign affairs, and a prominent conservative who played a crucial role in shaping European politics during the 19th century. Metternich's career was marked by his diplomatic skills and his ability to navigate complex international relations.
Metternich's early career was influenced by his family background and connections. His father, Franz Georg Karl Count of Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein, was a diplomat, and Metternich himself was named after Prince Clemens Wenceslaus of Saxony, a former employer of his father. In September 1795, Metternich married Eleonore von Kaunitz, the granddaughter of the Austrian state chancellor. This marriage provided him with access to the highest social and political circles in the Austrian Empire. Metternich's first significant diplomatic role came in 1797 when he represented the Roman Catholic Westphalian counts at the Congress of Rastatt, which dealt with compensating German princes who had lost their possessions to the French on the left bank of the Rhine.
In 1801, Metternich was appointed Austrian minister to the Saxon court in Dresden, where he formed a friendship with the German publicist and diplomat Friedrich von Gentz. He then served as the Austrian minister in Berlin from 1803 until 1806, gaining valuable insights into the internal workings of the Prussian state. Despite his efforts, he failed to convince Prussia to join Austria in the war against France in 1805. In 1806, Metternich was appointed ambassador to France, where he had the opportunity to study Napoleon Bonaparte, whom he termed "the conqueror of the world." Metternich played a crucial role in forming a temporary French-Austrian alliance by arranging the marriage between Napoleon and Marie Louise, the daughter of the Austrian emperor Francis I.
On October 8, 1809, Emperor Francis I appointed Metternich as the minister of foreign affairs. Metternich's diplomatic skills were crucial in maintaining Austria's freedom of action during this period. While Austria signed the oppressive Treaty of Schönbrunn with France, Metternich's alliance with Napoleon ensured that Austria remained independent and did not become a client state of the Napoleonic system. Metternich's influence extended beyond foreign affairs, and he was appointed Austrian state chancellor in 1821, although his influence was curtailed by Count Kolowrat, the minister of state. Metternich's conservative policies and opposition to nationalism and democracy made him a controversial figure, particularly among those seeking the unification of Germany and Italy.
Metternich's career was marked by his ability to maintain the status quo and Habsburg influence in international affairs. However, his influence began to wane with the liberal Revolutions of 1848, which forced his resignation. Metternich went into exile in England before eventually returning to Vienna in 1858. Despite the controversies surrounding his policies, Metternich is recognized for his diplomatic skills and his role in keeping Europe at peace for nearly a century.
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Metternich's influence on the Austrian Empire
Klemens Wenzel von Metternich, a German statesman and diplomat, served the Austrian Empire as a foreign minister from 1809 and chancellor from 1821 until his resignation in 1848. Metternich is known for his conservative policies and his influence in maintaining the status quo and Habsburg influence in international affairs.
One of Metternich's first tasks as foreign minister was to negotiate a détente with France, which included the marriage of Napoleon to the Austrian archduchess Marie Louise. He also led Austria into the War of the Sixth Coalition and signed the Treaty of Fontainebleau, which exiled Napoleon. Metternich then represented Austria at the Congress of Vienna, which decided the fate of post-Napoleonic Europe among the major powers. For his service to the Austrian Empire, he was bestowed the title of Prince in October 1813.
Metternich played a crucial role in maintaining the balance of power in Europe, known as the Concert of Europe. He was cautious of Russian influence and wanted to prevent Russian territorial expansion in Central Europe and the Ottoman Empire. Metternich's diplomatic skills were recognised, and he is credited with preventing major wars in Europe. However, his conservative stance and resistance to reform in Austria drew criticism. Metternich's policies included censorship and the suppression of liberal and nationalist movements, earning him a reputation as an oppressor.
During the Metternich era, the Austrian Empire experienced economic growth and industrial development. Despite facing a major deficit following the Napoleonic Wars, Metternich's time in office saw the expansion of Austrian production in various sectors, outpacing the German customs union, Zollverein. Metternich's influence in domestic affairs waned over time, and his resignation in 1848 marked the decline of his influence in the Austrian Empire.
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Metternich's stance on the Eastern Question
Klemens von Metternich, the Austrian Foreign Minister, was a key European conservative in the 19th century. Metternich's stance on the Eastern Question was primarily focused on preserving the balance of power among the Great Powers of Europe and maintaining his influence as a mediator. He recognized the threat of Russia's expansionist ambitions and sought to prevent a joint Franco-Russian attack on the Ottoman Empire, which could have granted Russia a dangerous level of dominance in Southeastern Europe. Metternich preferred a diplomatic solution, but when the Egyptian-Ottoman War broke out in 1839, he supported the partition of the Ottoman Empire to counter Russia's potential takeover.
Metternich's concerns about Russia's intentions were not unfounded. The Eastern Question, a term coined around 1821 when the Greeks declared independence from the Sultan, referred to the decline of the Ottoman Empire's power and the ensuing strategic competition among European powers. Russia stood to gain from the Ottoman Empire's weakening, and there were rumours that the Emperor of Russia intended to invade. Metternich counselled against this course of action, urging the Emperor to maintain the Concert of Europe, a spirit of broad collaboration that had existed since Napoleon's defeat.
Metternich's cautious approach to the Eastern Question was driven by his desire to maintain stability and the status quo. He was wary of any actions that might upset the delicate balance of power in Europe. When the Tsar proposed a congress in St. Petersburg to discuss the Eastern Question, Metternich, concerned about Russian dominance, opted to play for time. He believed in increasing Austrian influence over the German Federal Diet and sought to control the information shared with the press, allowing only the rulings to be publicized, not the minutes of the meetings.
Despite Metternich's efforts, his influence in the Austrian Empire began to wane, particularly after the liberal Revolutions of 1848. Metternich is known for his success in maintaining the status quo and Habsburg influence in international affairs during a tumultuous period in European history. His stance on the Eastern Question reflected his conservative principles and his commitment to preserving the unity and balance of power among the Great Powers of Europe.
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Metternich's relationship with Russia
Klemens von Metternich was a 19th-century Austrian conservative and diplomat who served as Austrian foreign minister from 1809 and chancellor from 1821 until his resignation in 1848. Metternich's relationship with Russia was complex and evolved over time. Initially, Metternich viewed Russia as a potential ally against the territorial ambitions of Napoleon Bonaparte, with whom he had several disagreements. Metternich was appointed ambassador to the Russian Empire in 1806 but never made it to Russia due to his assignment to the French court. He maintained contact with the Russian court under Alexander I and kept informed of Russian policy. Metternich's influence in the Austrian Empire declined after his return to Vienna in 1810, and he rejected the advances of Tsar Alexander, instead concluding an alliance with Napoleon in 1812.
In 1812, Metternich accompanied his sovereign for a final meeting with Napoleon before the French invasion of Russia. Metternich supported moderate censorship to prevent provocation of the French and limited Austria's commitment to only 30,000 troops, assuring Britain and Russia of Austria's continued opposition to Napoleonic ambitions. After the Napoleonic Wars, Metternich played a key role in establishing the Congress of Vienna, which affirmed Austria as one of the great powers of the 19th century. Metternich's relationship with Russia continued to evolve, and he attended the Russian-initiated Congress of Troppau in 1820, where the Tsar accepted a compromise proposal laid down in the Troppau Protocol.
Metternich's policy towards Russia from 1829 to 1833 has been the subject of historical debate. Some claim that he feared Russia's policy towards the Ottoman Empire, while others argue that he had a consistently good relationship with the conservative Russian power. Metternich walked a delicate line between Russia and other European powers, wary of letting Russia dominate affairs. He believed he had gained influence over the Tsar at times, but their relationship was complex and influenced by advisors like Kapodistrias. Metternich's conservative principles, which included opposing the free press and the initiatives of the middle classes, aligned with the Russian court's interests.
In summary, Metternich's relationship with Russia was multifaceted and dynamic. He initially saw Russia as a potential ally against Napoleon, later rejected a close alliance with Russia in favour of Napoleon, and ultimately sought to balance Russia's influence in Europe while maintaining good relations. Metternich's conservative ideologies and diplomatic skills shaped his interactions with Russia, contributing to his complex legacy in European history.
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Metternich's resignation
Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg-Beilstein, also known as Klemens von Metternich, was an Austrian politician and statesman. He is considered by many to be the most important diplomat of his era. Metternich was a conservative who favoured traditional institutions and is considered the prime practitioner of 19th-century diplomatic realism. He is remembered for his success in maintaining the status quo and the Habsburg influence in international affairs.
Metternich was appointed as Austria's Foreign Minister in 1809, following the Austrian army's defeat at the hands of Napoleon Bonaparte. Metternich was consumed by a personal hatred for Napoleon and sought to sabotage and conspire against him. He played a major role in the negotiations leading to the Congress of Vienna, which reaffirmed Austria as one of the great powers of the 19th century. Metternich also took part in European Congresses at Aix-la-Chapelle (1818), Troppau (1820), Laibach (1821), and Verona (1822).
However, Metternich's influence began to wane in the 1840s as liberal and nationalist revolutionary movements emerged across the Austrian Empire. In 1848, Metternich predicted trouble in Italy and dispatched an envoy, but his influence in the Austrian Empire continued to decline. The liberal revolutions of 1848 forced Metternich's resignation, and he left for the house of Count Taaffe with the help of his friends. Metternich's resignation was met with cheering in Vienna, as even the commoners welcomed the end of his era of social conservatism. He and his family eventually found refuge in the Dutch city of Arnhem.
Despite his conservative views, Metternich revealed seemingly liberal positions on a number of issues before his resignation. For example, regarding censorship, he is known to have said, "It is useless to close the gates against ideas. They over-leap them." However, he had supported censorship in 1808, according to his memoirs. These opinions seemed to stem from pragmatism rather than ideology.
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Frequently asked questions
Klemens von Metternich was the Austrian foreign minister and a prominent European conservative in the 19th century.
Metternich is known for his conservative policies and his success in maintaining the status quo and Habsburg influence in international affairs. He played a significant role in European diplomacy during the Napoleonic Wars and the War of the Third Coalition, and he was an influential figure in the Congress of Vienna in 1815. Metternich also faced liberal revolts and revolutions during his tenure, including the Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire, which ultimately led to his resignation.
Metternich's influence declined due to the liberal Revolutions of 1848 in the Austrian Empire. He was forced to resign as foreign minister, and his position was replaced by the title of Minister-President of Austria.
