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Metternich

Klemens Wenzel Lothar von Metternich, Prince of Metternich-Winneburg-Beilstein, was an Austrian statesman and diplomat who dominated European politics from the Napoleonic era through the revolutions of 1848. Born in Koblenz in 1773, he entered the Austrian diplomatic service in the early 19th century and rose to become one of Vienna’s most influential officials.

As foreign minister from 1809, Metternich played a central role in coordinating opposition to Napoleon and

Metternich’s framework aimed to maintain stability through alliance-building with Russia and Prussia, preserve the status quo,

By the 1830s and 1840s he faced growing pressure from liberal and nationalist movements. The revolutions of

His legacy is debated: Metternich is seen as a principal architect of early 19th-century conservatism and the

shaping
postwar
arrangements.
He
presided
over
the
Congress
of
Vienna
(1814–1815),
which
established
a
balance
of
power
in
Europe
and
laid
the
groundwork
for
the
Concert
of
Europe,
a
system
intended
to
preserve
peace
through
regular
diplomacy.
His
policies
supported
conservative
governance,
the
restoration
of
legitimate
monarchies,
the
suppression
of
revolutionary
movements,
and
limits
on
liberal
nationalism.
and
prevent
the
spread
of
liberal
or
nationalist
ideologies.
He
helped
foster
the
Holy
Alliance
and
worked
to
contain
revolutionary
currents
within
the
Austrian
Empire
and
beyond.
1848
forced
his
resignation,
ending
his
dominant
role
in
Austrian
and
European
politics.
He
spent
his
remaining
years
in
retirement
and
died
in
1859.
Concert
of
Europe,
credited
with
maintaining
relative
peace
for
decades
but
criticized
for
suppressing
reform
and
self-determination.