Prince Klemens Wenzel von Metternich (German: Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar Fürst^[1] von Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein) (May 15, 1773 – June 11, 1859) was a German-Austrian politician and statesman, and one of the most important diplomats of his era. He was a major figure on the negotiations leading to and at the Congress of Vienna and is considered both a paradigm of foreign policy management and a major figure on the development of diplomacy. He was the prime practitioner of 19th century diplomatic realism, deeply rooted on the balance of power postulates. Metternich for generations was castigated as a blind reactionary. After the WWII some historians pointed out that one of the main reasons for his opposition to the people's power was his apprehension that eventualy it will lead to the political dominance of German nationalism. Metternich grasped that underlying beliefs of the German nationalism were rejection of any moral norms and their willingness to commit Germany to wars and crimes against humanity. Image File history File links Emblem-important. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Metternich is a notable family of Austrian origin. ... Image File history File links Metternich_by_Lawrence. ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1773 (MDCCLXXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 162nd day of the year (163rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Politics series Politics Portal This box:      A politician is an individual who is a formally recognized and active member of a government, or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics. ... This page is about negotiations; for the board game, see Diplomacy (game). ... The Congress of Vienna was a conference between ambassadors from the major powers in Europe that was chaired by the Austrian statesman Klemens Wenzel von Metternich and held in Vienna, Austria, from late September, 1814, to June 9, 1815. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Balance of power in international relations is a central concept in realist theory. ...

Early life

Metternich was born in Coblenz. His father, Count Franz George Karl von Metternich-Winneburge zu Beilstein, was a diplomat who had passed from the service of the Archbishopric of Trier to that of the court of Vienna. His mother was Countess Maria Beatrice Aloisia von Kagenegg. This article is about the German city Koblenz. ... The Archbishopric of Trier was one of the important ecclesiastical principalities of the Holy Roman Empire. ... For other uses, see Vienna (disambiguation). ...

At the time of Metternich's birth, and for some time after that, his father was Austrian ambassador to the courts of the three Rhenish electors, and the boy was at first brought up under the influence of the tone and ideas flourishing in the small German courts that lay within the French sphere of influence under the Ancien Regime. Ancien R gime means Old Regime or Old Order in French; in English, the term refers primarily to the social and political system established in France under the Valois and Bourbon dynasties, and secondarily to any regime which shares the formers defining features: a feudal system under the control...

In 1788, Metternich attended the University of Strasbourg, but the outbreak of the French Revolution caused him to leave after two years. In 1790, he was deputed by the Catholic bench of the Westphalian College of Counts to act as their Master of the Ceremonies at the coronation of the new Emperor Leopold II at Frankfurt, a function he repeated at the coronation of Francis II in 1792. He then found employment in the Chancery of the Austrian minister to the Government of the Netherlands. The University Palace in Strasbourg, and a monument to one of the universitys students, Johann Wolfgang Goethe The University of Strasbourg in Strasbourg, Alsace, France, is divided into three separate institutions. ... The French Revolution (1789–1815) was a period of political and social upheaval in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on... Leopold II (born Peter Leopold Joseph) (May 5, 1747 – March 1, 1792) was the penultimate Holy Roman Emperor from 1790 to 1792 and Grand Duke of Tuscany. ... For other uses, see Frankfurt (disambiguation). ... Francis I in Austrian coronation regalia, 1832 Austrian thaler of Francis II, dated 1821. ...

After a long stay in England, Metternich moved to Vienna. On September 27, 1795 he married the Countess Eleonore von Kaunitz, a grand-daughter of Austrian chancellor. This alliance introduced him into the most exalted circles of Viennese society. In December, 1797, he was chosen by the Westphalian Counts as their representative to the Congress of Rastatt, where he remained until 1799. In January, 1801, he was appointed Austrian envoy to the Elector of Saxony, where he came acquired contacts with many Russian and Polish families of importance. In November, 1803, he was appointed Ambassador to Berlin. is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1795 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Wenzel Anton Graf Kaunitz (Count Anton von Kaunitz), (Václav Antonín hrabě Kounic-Rietberg) (February 2, 1711 - June 27, 1794), born into old Bohemian noble family settled in Moravia, was an Austrian statesman. ... Map of Germany showing Rastatt Rastatt is a city in the District of Rastatt, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. ... List of Dukes, Electors, and Kings of Saxony, 880-1918 The original Duchy of Saxony was in Northern Germany, roughly corresponding to the modern German state of Lower Saxony and Westphalia. ... An ambassador, rarely embassador, is a diplomatic official accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of his or her own country. ... This article is about the capital of Germany. ...

In Berlin, Metternich made himself so agreeable to the French envoy that Napoleon requested that he be sent to Paris, where he took up residence as Ambassador in August of 1806. His influence in European politics grew rapidly, and he ingratiated himself everywhere at the French Court and in society. In 1809, however, war broke out between France and Austria. Metternich was arrested in reprisal for the internment of two members of the French embassy in Hungary. In June, upon Napoleon's capture of Vienna, he was conducted to the city under military guard but was exchanged in July for the French diplomats.

On July 8, Metternich succeeded Johann Philip Standion as Minister of State. He was absent at the peace conference at Altenburg when the Emperor signed the Treaty of Schönbrunn on October 14, 1809, although he had been appointed Foreign Minister on October 8. is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Altenburg is a town in the German Bundesland of Thuringia. ... The Treaty of Schönbrunn was signed between France and Austria in 1809, ending the war of the Fifth Coalition during the Napoleonic Wars, at the beautiful castle Schloss Schönbrunn, which can be visited today as a tourist site. ... is the 287th day of the year (288th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1809 (MDCCCIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar). ... A minister for foreign affairs, or foreign minister, is a governmental cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign nation. ... is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

Minister

The position of Austria, reduced by the Treaty of Schönbrunn to the level of a second-rate power, was one of great difficulty and danger, and of this Metternich was fully conscious. His first goal was to gain time and separate Napoleon from the Tsar. The power that seemed to attract him was France, Austria's late enemy, although he was determined not to lose his freedom of action by making great concessions.

Napoleon's request for the hand of Archduchess Marie Louise fitted Metternich's plans admirably, and he accompanied the princess to Paris on March 13, 1810. The concessions that he wrung for Austria were quite small, but Metternich had managed to restore Austria's freedom to move. Metternich hurried back to Vienna on October 10, just in time to stop the pro-Russian party at the Austrian court from compromising this liberty by concluding an alliance with Russia and to win over the Emperor for his policy of armed abstention. is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

With the Franco-prussian War approaching, this policy became increasingly difficult to maintain in its entirety. Although Metternich concluded an alliance with Napoleon on March 14, 1813, promising military assistance in return for concessions that France was now obliged to offer, he at once informed Russia that Austria's troops would act only on the defensive and held out the prospect of a renewal of the old alliance of the conservative powers. When Napoleon suffered a catastrophe in Russia, Metternich extracted Austria from her alliance, reverted to neutrality, and soon maneuvered his country into the position of arbiter of Europe. When Metternich visited Napoleon at Dresden on June 26, he still served as an impartial mediator in an attempt to end the war and re-establish good relations between the three countries. Napoleon, however, was now interested only in taking complete control of Austria and Russia and stated, "We shall meet in Vienna." is the 73rd day of the year (74th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 177th day of the year (178th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

After this meeting, Metternich understood that it was necessary to protect Austria. In the war that followed, he was chiefly anxious to ensure that the balance of power did not swing too far in any direction, strengthening neither Russia or Prussia. The course of events forced him, against his wishes, to agree to the restoration of the Bourbons, but he was successful in ensuring the creation of a Federation of German states. Metternich also tempered the fear of a Russian dictatorship by promoting the principle of concerted action by the Great Powers according to international interests. This principle, after Napoleon's fall, governed the European political system. Bourbon (from French) or Borbón (from Spanish) can refer to people, places, food and drink, political events, and popular culture. ...

Post-Napoleonic Europe

On April 10, Metternich arrived in Paris, ten days after its occupation by the allies. He was now at the height of his reputation. On October 20, 1813, he had been created a Prince of the Austrian Empire. At the same time, the countship of Daruvar had been bestowed on him. On May 30, Metternich set his signature to the Treaty of Paris, and on July 18, he was back in Vienna, where the Congress of Vienna of October, 1814 - November, 1815 was to meet in the autumn. At the Congress, Metternich's charm and social gifts gave him much personal influence; the ease and versatility with which he handled intricate diplomatic questions excited admiration. Whatever the real wisdom of the decisions, he reached a settlement in Germany and Italy precisely in accordance with his wishes and emerged from the Congress content with his work. is the 100th day of the year (101st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1813 (MDCCCXIII) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... Daruvar (German: Daruwar, Hungarian: Daruvár, Latin: Aqua Balissae) is a town in central Croatia, population 9,815 (2001), total municipality population 13,243 (2001). ... is the 150th day of the year (151st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Many treaties have been negotiated and signed in Paris, including: Treaty of Paris (1229) - ended the Albigensian Crusade Treaty of Paris (1259) - between Henry III of England and Louis IX of France Treaty of Paris (1763) - ended the Seven Years War Treaty of Paris (1783) - ended the American Revolutionary War... is the 199th day of the year (200th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Congress of Vienna was a conference between ambassadors from the major powers in Europe that was chaired by the Austrian statesman Klemens Wenzel von Metternich and held in Vienna, Austria, from late September, 1814, to June 9, 1815. ...

Metternich was destined to spend much of the remainder of his life in an attempt to stabilize and make permanent the situation that he had so largely helped to create. The key-note of his policy henceforward was his attempt to use the European concert as an instrument for ensuring stability by preventing revolutionary movements. The revolutions of the 1830s seemed to threaten Metternich's system, yet gave it, at least, a temporary new lease on life. The Berlin Convention of 1833 was a fresh triumph for Metternich's diplomacy but also his last conspicuous intervention in the general affairs of Europe. His system had already passed away.

In domestic affairs, Metternich was not the whole-hearted reactionary for which he is often taken. He was too intelligent not to see the abuses inherent in the Austrian governmental system and would gladly have remedied some of them, since he had worked for equal rights and opportunities for the various peoples in the Austrian Empire. Metternich even proposed the formation of a parliament in which all the ethnic groups in the empire could be represented with seats determined by the group's percentage of the state's population. The real author of the incredibly reactionary and aggressive regime in Austria in the opening half of the 19th century was Emperor Francis I. Metternich had declared himself more than once, and possibly believed himself, to be a liberal. In any case, he lacked the ability to institute the reforms he felt necessary. Although for many years chancellor of Austria, he was not primarily interested in internal policy. A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modelled after that of the United Kingdom. ... The title of Francis I can refer to: Francis I of Austria (1768-1835) Francis I, King of France 1515-47 Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor (1745-1765) This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Look up liberal on Wiktionary, the free dictionary Liberal may refer to: Politics: Liberalism American liberalism, a political trend in the USA Political progressivism, a political ideology that is for change, often associated with liberal movements Liberty, the condition of being free from control or restrictions Liberal Party, members of...

Resignation

The Liberal Revolutions of 1848 marked the end of Metternich's career. The Vienna mob stood thundering at the door of his cabinet demanding his resignation. This resignation was accepted by the emperor on March 18, 1848, after which Metternich and his family left for England. There he lived in retirement, at Brighton and London, until October, 1849, when he moved to Brussels. In May, 1851, he traveled to his estate of Johannesberg; in September he returned to Vienna. He died in Vienna on June 11, 1859. From March 1848 through July 1849, the Habsburgs Austrian Empire was threatened by revolutionary movements. ... is the 77th day of the year (78th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1848 (MDCCCXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 162nd day of the year (163rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1859 (MDCCCLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

Prince Metternich in old age

Image File history File links Elderly_Metternich. ... Image File history File links Elderly_Metternich. ...

Legacy

Probably no statesman in his own day was as praised and spattered with abuse as Metternich, known as "The Coachman of Europe." In one view, he was revered as the infallible oracle of diplomatic inspiration; in another, he was loathed and despised as the very incarnation of the spirit of obscurantism and oppression. The victories of democracy have brought the latter view into fashion, and to the liberal historians of the latter part of the 19th century, the name Metternich was synonymous with a system in which they could recognize nothing but senseless opposition. Reaction against this view found its fullest expression in the work of Srbik. Of the techniques of diplomacy, for example, Metternich was a master; his dispatches were models of diplomatic style. They were certainly sententious, over-elaborate, and excessively lengthy, but their phrase-making was often the result of astute calculation.

Kissinger's studies

Metternich has earned the admiration of succeeding generations for his brilliant management of foreign policy. Henry Kissinger idolized Metternich, and studied him closely. He wrote his Harvard University Ph.D. dissertation, later published in 1957 under the title A World Restored: Metternich, Castlereagh and the Problems of the Peace 1812-1822, on the European negotiations for achieving a balance of power after Waterloo and praised Metternich's role in holding together the crumbling Austrian Empire. It should be noted that Kissinger's work has generated controversy in academic circles by the likes of historian Paul W. Schroeder, and others, drawing criticism for its absence of footnotes, among other issues. Henry Alfred Kissinger (born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923) is a German-born American politician, and 1973 Nobel Peace Prize laureate. ... Harvard University (incorporated as The President and Fellows of Harvard College) is a private university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA and a member of the Ivy League. ... Combatants First French Empire Seventh Coalition: United Kingdom Kingdom of Prussia Kingdom of the United Netherlands Kingdom of Hanover Duchy of Nassau Duchy of Brunswick Commanders Napoleon Bonaparte, Michel Ney Duke of Wellington, Gebhard von Blücher Prince William of Orange Strength 73,000 67,000 Coalition 60,000 Prussian... Anthem Volkshymne (Peoples Anthem) The Austrian Empire Capital Vienna Language(s) German Hungarian Romanian Czech Slovakian Slovenian Croatian Serbian Italian Polish Ruthenian Religion Roman Catholic Government Monarchy History  - Established 1804  - Ausgleich 1867 The Crown of the Austrian Emperor The Austrian Empire (German: ) was a modern era successor empire founded... Paul W. Schroeder is an American historian and professor emeritus of history at the University of Illinois, specializing in the late sixteenth- to twentieth-century European international politics, Central Europe, and the theory of history. ...

Notes

• There is a sparkling wine named after him, Fürst von Metternich Riesling Sekt.

Fürst (plural Fürsten) is a German title of nobility, usually translated into English as Prince; however this translation can be misleading, since a Fürst usually ranks below a Duke. ... The term prince, from the Latin root princeps, is used for a member of the highest ranks of the aristocracy or the nobility. ... Fürst (plural Fürsten) is a German title of nobility, usually translated into English as Prince. The female form is Fürstin (plural Fürstinnen). ... A glass of sparkling wine A Sparkling wine cork It has been suggested that Spumante, Frizzante, Sekt and Cremant be merged into this article or section. ...

See also

• Age of Metternich
• Princess Pauline de Metternich

Klemens Wenzel von Metternich The Age of Metternich refers to the period of European politics in between the final defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815 and the Revolutions of 1848. ... Princess Pauline de Metternich, portrait by Edgar Degas around 1865 Princess Pauline Clémentine de Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein, née Countess Pauline Clémentine Marie Walburga Sándor de Szlavnicza, (February 25, 1836 in Vienna - September 28, 1921 in Vienna) was a famous Viennese and Parisian socialite of great...

Bibliography

• Palmer, A., Metternich: Councillor of Europe. London: Orion, 1997 ed.
• Kissinger, H., "A World Restored: Metternich, Castlereagh and the Problems of the Peace 1812-1822". London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1999
• Encyclopaedia Britannica, Volume 15, Metternich, 1989

Henry Kissinger Henry Alfred Kissinger (born May 27, 1923) is a German-born American diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner who played an important part in foreign affairs through the positions he held in several Republican administrations between 1969 and 1977. ...

External links

1. Metternich on censorship
2. Fürst von Metternich sparkling wine
3. Castle Kynžvart (Königswart) in Western Bohemia - Metternich's residence with collections, now open to the public