Metternich

Metternich began his state career in 1797 as representative of the Westphalian College of counts at the Congress of Rastatt, but in less than a decade, he had managed to become ambassador of Saxony and Preussen as well as the Austrian representative in France. His career primed in 1809 when he was assigned the post as minister of Austrian foreign affairs. Until 1813 Metternich will pursue a policy of acquiescence to French supremacy. A policy which ends with the creation of the Quadruple Alliance, the war against France, and the allied victory the very same year. The following 35 years have been called the Age of Metternich for during this time he was the chief arbiter of Europe. The Metternich system depended upon political and religious censorship, espionage, and the suppression of revolutionary and nationalist movements. This system holds part of the blame for the revolutions of 1848.