The Congress Of Vienna: Britain's Views

In the Congress of Vienna, Britain didn't really want to gain any land, but wanted a balance of power between countries in Europe. There wasn't an extremely powerful country that gained a lot of land, so Britain was pretty happy with the results of the Congress. Some power was also balanced out so that one country was stronger and bigger than another.

The Congress of Vienna: Italy's View of France

While France was at an extraordinary disadvantage at the Congress of Vienna, they did manage some small victories. As the other powers of Russia, Austria, Prussia, and at times Great Britain, ruthlessly attempted to claim as many territories as possible, regardless of the nationalism of those territories (including Italian ones), France respected the boundaries set by the nationalism of the people. While this may have been some sort of attempt at reducing the power of the other nations for protection reasons, it is still quite respectable. They managed to keep several territories independent, of which many owe some thanks to the efforts of France.

Russia's Views

During of the Congress of Vienna, Russia did not receive as much land as they hoped for. Russia was also extremely large and did not need the help from many countries despite what other countries might have thought. Russia would view Spain, Portugal, and Italy all the same way. Russia would not care all too much about them because they don't even compare to Russia (in size/army etc.). Russia also wouldn't like the fact that Italy and Spain had major outbursts due to religion and the economy.

Italy's View of Prussia

One of the goals of the Congress of Vienna was to split up Italy and its states. While Prussia did not end up getting any of these, they still had an affect on the results. Prussia was a major power at the Congress of Vienna and did have some control on the way things turned out. So, they influenced where states like Sicily went. Prussia did have interest some interest in getting Italian states, but failed. So, the Italians were not on too bad terms with the Prussians. In fact, not too long after the Congress, Italy and Prussia became allies in what is known as the Pursso-Italian alliance.

The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era

Spain: Spain was impacted in many ways from the French Revolution. After seeing all the new ideas and creations being spread throughout France, many of the people in Spain wanted to do the same. This caused revolts, new rules, and many new ideas that were spread across the country.

Portugal: The Napoleonic Era played a bigger part in Portugal because of the Peninsular War. the British troops helped Portugal to become less isolate and stay fighting in the war.

Italy: The Napoleonic Era also played a big role in Italy when Napoleon declared his brother Joseph Bonaparte king of Sisily and Naples.

The Napoleonic Era and The French Revolution

Portugal was greatly affected during the Peninsular War, with the help of British troops. This war helped to not isolate them any longer. This war was very long.

Many of Spain's colonies got revolutionary ideas and decided to revolt. Also, when Napoleon appionted his brother as King of Spain, Spain became weaker because he was a bad ruler.

Napoleon again appointed a bad ruler, this time to Italy. Joseph was appointed to the position of King of Sicily and Naples.

Impact of the French Revolution & the Napoleonic Era

Spain was greatly affected by both the French Revolution as well as the age of Napoleon. During the French Revolution, many colonies of Spain got ideas that revolution was necessary and would eventually revolt, such as Venezuela. Moreover, Napoleon appointed his own brother as King of Spain, thus weakening Spain under an intolerable king. The Peninsular War, which relied heavily on guerilla warfare, also rendered Spain a weaker country, although he did end the Spanish Inquisition.

Portugal was taken out of its geographical isolation when Napoleon began his Peninsular War. The war extended until the end of his reign in 1814. The Portuguese were aided by British forces and participated in both traditional and guerilla warfare. Subsequently, Napoleon was unable to win a decisive victory, which dragged the war and its battles out.

Italy was affected greatest by the appointment of Napoleon's younger brother, Joseph Bonaparte, to the positions of King of Sicily and King of Naples.

Impact of Enlightenment on Italy

Italy was favorably impacted by the Enlightenment, specifically in its northern provinces. Although Italy was highly influenced by Austria at the time, this did not stop many native Italians from expanding on enlightened ideas of their own. Some of these intellectuals included Vico, Beccarria, and Verri.

However, Italy was mostly influenced by Austria, rather than forming ideas based upon political unrest or economic hardships in their own country. In fact, Italy continued to exist as fundamentally separate states as it had for three hundred years.

Besides from Galileo's influences in the prior centuries, Beccarria's ideas concerning capital punishment spread as far as Great Britain. Thus, although parts of Italy were intellectually effected, this did not directly effect Italy socially, culturally, economically, and politically until much later.

Trade was an important part of living and a way to make a profit. Many families relied on trade to gain money so they could afford things like food and water. Great Britain at this time ruled many of the seas where trade was popular and it was hard to sell things without them knowing. This effected many of the families in Itlay and many other countries too.

Impact of Population Growth and the Cottage Industry

Previously, plague, famine, and wars had killed off many people throughout Europe. But, in the 1700s, Italy had nearly 11.5 million people, but by 1800, the population had jumped to about 17.5 million. So, socially, Italy, and the rest of Europe, more peasants came about and less jobs were available due to this. So, as a result, peasants created the "cottage industry" which was farming with the use of hand tools to make their own raw materials. This was very helpful because then the peasants didn't need a steady job as much because they were more independent and could provide for themselves. Economically, this had a positive impact because now the production of wool and silk and other raw materials were very prevelent in Italy. Many people had jobs, which also helped to boost the economy. Politically, a system known as the "putting-out system" was seen as capitalist. A merchant would sell raw materials, such as wool, to a worker and they would make it into something useful, such as spinning the wool. Culturally, many new things were introduced to society such as new textiles (linen, woolen, and cotton cloth), roads and new forms of transportation were brought about, and population grew tremendously. Peasants were learning how to make themselves a living, without depending on anyone else. All of these things were huge in forming the world that is today.