Klemens Wenzel von Metternich

Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar von Metternich , count then prince de Metternich-Winneburg-Beilstein (All.: Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar Fürst von Metternich-Winneburg-Beilstein ), born the May 15th 1773 with Coblentz and deceased the June 11th 1859 with Vienna, was a diplomat and an Austrian politician . It devoted its life to the maintenance of the company of old mode vis-a-vis the upheaval which generated the French revolution then with the maintenance of the Austrian position and the balance of the powers.

Origin and youth

Metternich was born with Coblentz, in Germany, he is the son of Franz Georg von Metternich, and of the girl of the count de Kagenneg. Resulting from the Rhenish nobility, it is sent to the university of Strasbourg, the November 12th 1788, in company of his brother, to study the Droit there. Over there, it meets Benjamin Constant, but also the future prince André Rasoumovski, the general Tolstoï, and Czernichev. September 27th, 1795, he marries with Vienna, the little girl of the powerful chancellor Count Wenzel von Kaunitz, Marie-Eleonore von Kaunitz-Rietberg (the only daughter of prince Ernest de Kaunitz and the princess of OEttingen). This marriage takes place with the castle of Austerlitz, where, ten years later, almost day for day, Napoleon his more great victory will gain. It is a marriage of convenience (Metternich is then enthusiast of Marie-Constancy of the Force), which enables him to lead a life in conformity to its tastes. Éléonore will give him seven children. Metternich settle shortly after in the Kaunitz palate, in Vienna, where he attends the Court.

Course

In 1803, he becomes ambassador in Berlin. In 1806, it is at the court of Saint-Pétersbourg when Napoleon request a Kaunitz family member. It has a perfect command of French and becomes ambassador in Paris of 1806 to 1809. He becomes the lover of Laure Junot and Caroline Bonaparte. He maintains good relationships with Talleyrand.

Role

In 1808 he addresses reports/ratios according to which the capacity of the French emperor staggers, while at the same time he preached alliance little before. Austria declares the war in France: it is beaten with Wagram in July 1809. Appointed Foreign Minister and chancellor, Metternich must sign humiliating it peace of Vienna. It decides to temporize and make pretense be friendly, in particular by organizing the marriage with Marie-Louise of Austria in 1810.

The day before the Countryside of Germany (1813), he proposes as mediator but Napoleon refuses the least territorial concession. To conclude a maintenance held with Dresden, Metternich launches with superb:

“You are lost, Lord! I suspected it while coming here, now I know it! ”

Austria joint then 200.000 men with the Sixth coalition.

Initially favorable to the Eaglet - wire of Napoleon - and to a regency of Marie-Louise the Empress and girl of the emperor François Ier of Austria, it comes from there to accept the proposal of the British Foreign Minister for a restoration of the Bourbons. Its relation with the Russian emperor is bad in particular in connection with the Poland and for the favors of beautiful the Wilhelmina von Sagan.

It is one of the main actors of the Congrès of Vienna in particular to moderate the spirit of revenge against France and is anxious to restore the Austrian influence in Italy.

He is the most influential character of the the Holy Alliance, in particular in front of the tsar Alexandre Ier then near Nicolas Ier of Russia on which he will exert a determining influence thanks to his 3eminence grise the count Charles Louis de Ficquelmont to which he entrusts the Ambassade Saint-Petersbourg.

Metternich is then guaranteeing of the order resulting from the congress of Vienna which will ensure Europe a sudden stability after the long Napoleonean wars. Inside, in Austria, it promotes the Absolutisme. Outside, by the congresses or the force of the Holy Alliance, it imposes the order: the Decrees of Karlsbad, of 1819, are particularly liberticides for the press of the Germanic Confédération, the German University.

This order lasts until March 1848. Riots burst in Austria. The emperor Ferdinand Ier of Austria gives up Metternich which resigns. He must flee, hidden in a basket with linen. He thus leaves for a temporary exile to Holland. Many States d' Europe know this year of the popular revolts at the time of the “Printemps of the people”. After the disorders, Metternich finishes its life with Johannisberg in Austria.

The death of Metternich at 86 years precedes division by the Allies. The Russian policy in Poland had already affected the Holy Alliance; the advent of Bonaparte in France, Napoleon III, watch his weakness. But it is especially the principle of nationalities defended by the latter which will release nationalist passions and will cause the irremediable decline of Austria of Habsbourg while at the same time Russia is reinforced. Balance is broken.

Posterity

Another large diplomat, Henry Kissinger, dedicates a great admiration to him and praises in him the architect of a subtle balance of power between powers which allowed a durable peace after Waterloo.

Quotations

“the greatest gift of any statesman is not knowledge which concessions to make, but to recognize when to do them. ”

“the error forever approximate my spirit. ”

“the word " liberté" do not mean for me starting point but true point of arrival. The starting point is defined by the word " ordre". Freedom cannot exist without the concept of order. ”

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