The History of Austria 19own power. Vienna was occupied by French troops in 1805
and 1809. In yet another attempt at marriage diplomacy,
Franz’s daughter Marie Louise was married to Napoleon in
- This marriage produced a son, who, after Napoleon’s
downfall and exile, was closely guarded at Schönbrunn Palace
until he died at 21 from tuberculosis. Austria eventually took
up arms again as part of the coalition comprised of England,
Prussia and Russia that finally defeated Napoleon in 1814.
The Congress of Vienna (1814–15)
At the Congress of Vienna, 200 delegates from across the
continent met to re-establish the traditional balance of power.
Borders were redrawn and Austria regained lands lost to
France. The Congress was more famous, however, for its
extravagance as the delegates spent more time at dinner
and balls.
Vormärz
The period between the Congress of Vienna and the revolution
of March 1848 is known as the Vormärz (the period before
March). Prince Metternich, chancellor during the reign of
Franz I, was in charge of government policy. Metternich was
extremely conservative and employed harsh repression and
censorship to uphold the absolute power of the monarch. As
a result, many people turned inward, focusing on family life
instead of venturing out under the careful gaze of the secret
police. Among the upper and middle classes, culture replaced
political and economic activities, ushering in the Biedermeier
period. Music, literature and the other arts flourished during
this time.
Revolution of 1848
The police state could not restrain the demands of a society
entering the industrial age. The middle class led calls for
increased freedoms, and the working class wanted better
living and working conditions. On 13 March 1848, a large
group of students and workers protested, precipitating Prince
Metternich’s flight to England. Emperor Ferdinand eventually
agreed to set up a parliament, and the first deputies took