Germany (and Europe) after Napoleon
Congress of Vienna (1815):
Austrian/Habsburg diplomat (for King Francis II) Prince Klemens von Metternich balances the powers of Europe. That sustains a relative peace for a century (until WWI). Other major Congress players included Talleyrand (for Louis XVIII of France), Tzar Alexander I of Russia, and Viscount Castlereagh (for Great Britain). Prussia was represented by Prince Karl August von Hardenberg, the Chancellor, and the diplomat and scholar Wilhelm von Humboldt. King Frederick William III of Prussia was also in Vienna, playing his role behind the scenes.
German Confederation is created. Number of German states greatly reduced (to 39), surviving ones expand, most notably Prussia. Austria is in charge of the German Confederation until 1866 when Prussia defeats them in a war, Austria is kicked out - The Confederation becomes the North German Confederation (under Prussian leadership). Germany unifies 6 years later.
European repression of individual freedoms begins as monarchs and princes seek to repress democratic urges:
Metternich issues the Carlsbad Decrees of 1819 in the German Confederation, made permanent in 1824. They banned nationalist fraternities ("Burschenschaften"), removed liberal university professors, and expanded the censorship of the press.
In 1822 Austria suppresses rebellions for a constitutional monarchy in Italy with approval of the Concert of Europe except Great Britain.
France is fairly tolerant under Louis XVIII (a constitutional monarchy) but Charles X cracks down in 1824. He is ousted in the "July" Revolution of 1830.
Eugene Delacroix - Lady Liberty Leading the People - of the July Revolution
Revolutions of 1848 - Over a dozen European revolutions and rebellions break out in one year over nationalism and democratic government. All are suppressed.
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