Changes in the Habsburg Empire, Russia, and Great Britain
Habsburg Empire 1. Response to 1848 – renewed absolutism – Centralization
– Control of Hungary – Education
Francis Joseph I
– Ignored the ethnic minorities
Habsburg Empire 2. Foreign Difficulties Loss of alliance with Russians – Because Habsburgs did not support Russians during Crimean War
Loss of territory in Italy and prestige – Because of defeat to France and Piedmont-Sardinia
Habsburg Empire 3. Efforts
at Governmental Reform
October
Diploma
February Patent
Magyars rejected both
Habsburg Empire 4. Compromise of 1866 (Ausgleich) –
after the Austrian-Prussian War and exclusion from German Confederation • Created a dual monarchy – Shared monarch and ministers for foreign affairs – Separate parliaments – Annual meetings to deal with mutual interests – Trade agreement renegotiated every 10 years
Habsburg Empire 5. Result of Compromise
Demands by other minorities • -- ex. Trialism Disruption of Austrian parliament
Nationalistic unrest
Russia 1. Alexander II brought about reforms – 1861 - Abolition of serfdom •
•
But did not receive land; had to pay for it (with interest) over a period of 49 years Small plots and bad harvests led to high debt for peasants
– Village communes carried out local government – More efficient and western judicial system – Military Reform –universal male service requirement
Russia 2. 1863 – Polish Rebellion led to more harsh rule – Tried to Russify the Poles – Remained unpopular with both Russian serfs and Nobility – 1866 – assassination attempt • Russia became more of a police state
Russia 3. A revolutionary movement known as populism developed • Encouraged by a newspaper from exile, The Bell • Most radical group, Land and Freedom, sought support from peasants – Rejected by peasants and punished severely by the Tsar – Adopted terrorism as a strategy
Russia 4. Land and Freedom split into two groups – one advocated eduction – The People’s Will advocated overthrow of autocracy – March 1, 1881 – Alexander II assassinated
5. Alexander III attempted to roll back his father’s reforms – Censored the press, strengthened the secret police
Great Britain – movement towards democracy 1. The Second Reform Act – 1867 • Reform defeated in 1866 by conservatives and anti-democracy liberals • Conservatives introduced their own bill in 1867 – After many amendments, it enlarged the electorate by over 70%, including much of the male working class
Great Britain – movement towards democracy 2. Ministry of William Gladstone (1868-1874) – Opened up the civil service, the military officer corps and university positions to people of all classes and religion denomination. – The Ballot Act of 1872 – the secret ballot – Education Act of 1870 – ** these reforms quieted the major
sources of discontent and developed a loyal constituency as Great Britain was extending control overseas.
Great Britain – movement towards democracy 3. Ministry of Benjamin Disreali (1874-1880) – Perceived his role as protector of the weak and the alleviator of class divisions – Public Health Act of 1875 • Public responsibility for sanitation – Artisan Dwelling Act of 1875 • Public housing for the working class – Also offered protections to Trade Unions • Picketing allowed
Great Britain – movement towards democracy 4. Second Gladstone ministry (1880-1886) – Third Reform Act – the vote given to most of the working class – 1881 – Irish Land Act •
Tenant rights
– 1885 – Gladstone announced support of Irish Home Rule • •
Sought support of Irish bloc in Parliament, led by Charles Parnell Led to formation of Liberal Unionists and defeat of Liberal party
Great Britain – movement towards democracy 5. Irish question from 1886-1914 – 1892 – Home Rule bill defeated by the House of Lords – 1903 – Conservatives sponsored a land act that transferred land to tenants – 1911 House of Lords Bill passed •
