Clemens Metternich was an Austrian statesman in post-Napoleonic Europe. Metternich played a great role in European history between the years of 1809 and 1848 where he acted as foreign minister of Austria. Although Francis I weakened his role in Austrian affairs Metternich took great strides towards the maintenance of monarchy in Austria and much of Europe during his years as foreign minister. Due to the fact that he came to power in an age of new ideas (These ideas included the feelings of Nationalism, the Industrial Revolution, and also a rise in both social problems and the desire for popular government participation), he knew that sooner or later he would fail. So there was a certain fatalism about him. Generally he showed little understanding for the new emerging Europe (after the French Revolution, which brought about these new ideas) and was a firm believer in the divine right of kings.
Abduction of Europe
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English: Klemens Wenzel von Metternich (1773-1859)...Clemens Metternich was an extreme conservative in a Europe pushing towards progressiveness.
His political principles were those of a typical 19th century conservative. The ideas of Metternich were in direct conflict with national interest at the time. Metternich believed that there was no lasting alterative between chaos and stagnation. Hence, there must be a continual effort on the part of those in power to secure the monarchy and keep equilibrium within the nation. His political policies reflected this. Being an arch conservative and rigid advocate of monarchy his plans were reactionary and anti liberal, obviously. He banned the freedom of press and he made no concessions to the principle of popular sovereignty. Metternich thought once the idea of the sovereignty of the people was accepted, the life of the state, the working of the society, would be disadvantaged by disputes. This would lead to chaos and...