HIS103Y1 Chapter 1-3: Textbook notes: The great powers and the European states system - for: chapter 1-3
Document Summary
Eur dominated by 5 powers: aus (after 1867: aus-hung); fr, brit, rus, prus (after 1871: Ger) italy only allowed in after its role in concert dealing w/ ottoman, and finding an ally in. Guardians of peace ; consulted each other in major issues . Stability in ir: this period: only 1848-9 upheaval was seen to might have destroyed the stability but aus was saved by rus. Aus still a great power even after defeat (1859; 1866) & fr, too, after being defeated militarily (1971) destroy them all to suppress rev w/i their ranks. Attempts to maintain status quo (the great-power sys): collapse of 5-powers sys could. Smaller states: expected protection (fm great powers) fm external assault & milit assistance. 2 categories of eur great powers: 1) ones w/ eur territory & interests (aus + prus); 2) those with extensive possession, infl & interest outside of eur (brit & rus; later france)
