The Bourbon Restoration (1814–1830)
- After Napoleon’s first abdication (1814), the Bourbon monarchy was restored with Louis XVIII as king.
- Louis XVIII issued the Charter of 1814, which kept some revolutionary changes but restored monarchy and Catholic Church influence.
- His rule balanced between liberals (who wanted more freedoms) and royalists (who wanted a return to absolute monarchy).
- After Louis XVIII’s death, Charles X became king (1824). He was more conservative, restoring privileges to the church and nobility.
- Charles X’s unpopular policies (like compensation to nobles and censorship of the press) led to the July Revolution of 1830, which forced him to abdicate.
The Congress of Vienna (1815)
- The Congress of Vienna was a meeting of major powers (Austria, Prussia, Russia, Britain, and France) after Napoleon’s defeat.
- Its goals were to restore balance of power, legitimacy of monarchies, and prevent future revolutions.
- France lost most of the territory it had gained under Napoleon.
- The Bourbon monarchy was confirmed, and France was monitored by surrounding powers to prevent another revolutionary takeover.
Impact on France
- Politically, France was back under a monarchy.
- The restoration created tension between liberals, conservatives, and republicans.
- Socially, the middle class kept many gains of the Revolution (property rights, equality before law), but nobles regained some influence.
- Internationally, France was weakened, but it was gradually welcomed back into the “Concert of Europe” system by 1818.
Common Mistake
- Students sometimes write about the Congress of Vienna only in terms of Europe, forgetting to explain its direct impact on France.
- Some confuse the Bourbon Restoration with the July Monarchy (Louis Philippe, 1830–1848).
Exam technique
- When answering questions about the Bourbon Restoration, always link internal French politics (liberal vs. conservative tensions) with the international context (Vienna settlement).
- Use specific examples (Charter of 1814, Charles X’s censorship laws, July Revolution of 1830) to show depth of knowledge.
Self review
- What were the main goals of the Congress of Vienna, and how did they affect France specifically?
- How did Louis XVIII try to balance revolutionary reforms with monarchical rule?
- Why did Charles X lose support, and how did this lead to the July Revolution?
- To what extent did the Bourbon Restoration succeed in creating stability in France between 1814 and 1830?
