Metternich, the German Question and the Pursuit of Peace

Despite the large number of books and studies written about Metternich, there is still a period of his political career that scholars neglect to this day, the 1840s. This book offers an analysis of Metternich's German policy in the years 18401848 and thus fills a gap in Metternich studies. Analysing this period is important due to the fact that over the course of those less than nine years, Metternich lost his influence within the German Confederation. He represented a certain way of behaving moderate, calm and reconciliatory but it was an attitude which was rejected during the period of rising mass nationalism. Nevertheless, he continued to endeavour to steer this escalating nationalism, and by applying calming policies prevent it from causing armed conflicts in Europe. Since Metternich conceived the German Confederation at the Congress of Vienna in 1815 as one of the pillars of the European peace settlement, the issue is viewed from the perspective of European crises of the time, from the Rhine Crisis to the Swiss civil war. Similarly, it presents his policy in a broader context of economic and social history. The book follows revisionist research on Metternich and refutes some of the clichés still associated with his policy.

Auteur
Barbora Pásztorová, University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic.

Résumé
"Barbora Pásztorová has written a fine account of Metternich's German Policy between 1840 and 1848, which fills an important gap in Metternich studies. It is well researched and clearly written and demonstrates a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant sources and literature. I much enjoyed her account of the Austrian Chancellor's involvement in everything from the Rhine Crisis through the annexation of Cracow and the Sonderbund War in Switzerland to his reaction to the rise of nationalism in Germany. Altogether an impressive achievement." - Alan Sked