Journal,
Bismarck has became the chief minister of Prussia. He refuses to grant members of the middle class any sort of control or order and he's dedicated to ruling by blood and iron, convinced it is the only way to solve any problems. Many of my voter friends, like the doctor, for example, rallied a group of good men and opposed Bismark's ways by sending large liberal majorities to parliament. I can only imagine Bismark was not amused. Although, he was able to keep Russia and France neutral after our first attempted annexation of Schleswig Holstein, which led to our alliance with Austria in the war against Denmark. The German Confederation was dissolved and a new North German Confederation, led by Prussia, was formed. Austria then backed down from German affairs and, as a result, Bismarck's goal of Prussian expansion was being accomplished.
Although he's a very stiff and harsh ruler, Bismark has done Prussia a world of good.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
A Peasant's View of the Revolution of 1830 in France
Dear Journal,
Louis XVIII's Constitutional Charter gave me great hope. All our economic and social advances seemed completely protected as were our rights of artistic freedom and total liberty. Although this was the case, Charles X, Louis's successor, was an awful, terrible man. He took away all our rights and demeaned our society, and so after our revolt, Charles fled, leaving Louis Philippe as our new king. He seemed to take on the Constitutional Charter and accepted the blue, white and red flag of the Revolution, which made me extremely content. Although all these changes should make for more progress, our situation here has remained unchanged. It seems our Revolution -all our fighting, our war and our efforts- were completely in vain.
Louis XVIII's Constitutional Charter gave me great hope. All our economic and social advances seemed completely protected as were our rights of artistic freedom and total liberty. Although this was the case, Charles X, Louis's successor, was an awful, terrible man. He took away all our rights and demeaned our society, and so after our revolt, Charles fled, leaving Louis Philippe as our new king. He seemed to take on the Constitutional Charter and accepted the blue, white and red flag of the Revolution, which made me extremely content. Although all these changes should make for more progress, our situation here has remained unchanged. It seems our Revolution -all our fighting, our war and our efforts- were completely in vain.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Prussia And Peace (A Monarch's Journal Entry)
Dear Journal,
The Congress of Vienna was to generate a peace settlement that I, the aristocratic monarch of Prussia would like to uphold. First and foremost, it is with my utmost duty that the other monarchies of Russia, Austria, and Great Britain all hold France in line and limit their power. We need to find a balance of power and justice. Prussia recieved territory on France's eastern border against France. There are unfortunately disputes concerning decisions at the Congress of Vienna. Those disputes will be settled by the Great Powers. Prussia is one of the Great Powers, so I will make sure that Prussia recieves and benefits in all ways possible. Hopefully, the decisions we make will lead to new ideas that motivate the world to change in a positive way.
-Prussian Leader
(beginning of Chapter 23, leads to the Radical Ideas and Early Socialism)
The Congress of Vienna was to generate a peace settlement that I, the aristocratic monarch of Prussia would like to uphold. First and foremost, it is with my utmost duty that the other monarchies of Russia, Austria, and Great Britain all hold France in line and limit their power. We need to find a balance of power and justice. Prussia recieved territory on France's eastern border against France. There are unfortunately disputes concerning decisions at the Congress of Vienna. Those disputes will be settled by the Great Powers. Prussia is one of the Great Powers, so I will make sure that Prussia recieves and benefits in all ways possible. Hopefully, the decisions we make will lead to new ideas that motivate the world to change in a positive way.
-Prussian Leader
(beginning of Chapter 23, leads to the Radical Ideas and Early Socialism)
The Life of a Prussian Peasant in the City
Dear Family,
Due to the new intellectual and political era that erupted, there is a rapid period of urbanization that is occuring. The growth of industry has provided me with many new working opportunities. Although, I do have a job working in a factory and I am getting paid thanks to the growth of cities there are negative side effects. Since I am unfortunately a peasant, i suffer from bad housing, lack of sanitation, and a sense of hopelessness that doesnt seem to cease. Unfortunately, the industry and city growth is mostly negative to me and my health. Hopefully, sanitation rules and public health will improve quickly.
From,
A Prussian Peasant
**Prussian Peasant living in the city/working conditions
Due to the new intellectual and political era that erupted, there is a rapid period of urbanization that is occuring. The growth of industry has provided me with many new working opportunities. Although, I do have a job working in a factory and I am getting paid thanks to the growth of cities there are negative side effects. Since I am unfortunately a peasant, i suffer from bad housing, lack of sanitation, and a sense of hopelessness that doesnt seem to cease. Unfortunately, the industry and city growth is mostly negative to me and my health. Hopefully, sanitation rules and public health will improve quickly.
From,
A Prussian Peasant
**Prussian Peasant living in the city/working conditions
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Prussia during The Congress of Vienna
Prussia and Russia are in agreement during The Congress of Vienna, both countries believe that they should be compensated for what they lost. The Prussians wanted the large and wealthy kingdom of Saxony and parts of Germany, while the Russians wanted to restore and dominate Poland. These various demands made by Prussia and Russia led Castlereagh and Metternich to opposition and secret alliances. Prussia realized the risk of war ahead and finally settled for only parts of Saxony.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Peasant Journal Entry
Journal,
Napoleon has slowly but surely taken over western Germany. Our country is especially surprised by his control in German affairs and we have mobilized our troops even though we have been at peace with France for more than 10 years. Our troops were outnumbered more than double at Jena, and were defeated by Napoleon’s armies. The war was then joined by the Russian army and lasted until the spring of 1807. I consider the worst part to be Prussia’s expected support of Napoleon’s continental system, which ceased trade with Britain. We have suffered under Napoleon’s rule for far too long. I only pray for the final days of his era.
Napoleon has slowly but surely taken over western Germany. Our country is especially surprised by his control in German affairs and we have mobilized our troops even though we have been at peace with France for more than 10 years. Our troops were outnumbered more than double at Jena, and were defeated by Napoleon’s armies. The war was then joined by the Russian army and lasted until the spring of 1807. I consider the worst part to be Prussia’s expected support of Napoleon’s continental system, which ceased trade with Britain. We have suffered under Napoleon’s rule for far too long. I only pray for the final days of his era.
Political Balance After the Congres of Vienna
Metternich, Castlereagh, Hardenberg, Talleyrand and Tsar Alexander I were all in agreement that the future security of Europe would be promised if, and only if, all five major powers were considered approximately equal, and no one power could overthrow the others. Not only was this was distribution of power extremely beneficial, it was also very effective. The period of time between 1814 and 1815 is considered one of the best examples of a balance of power in all of Europe.
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