Metternich, Prince Clemens von

Cultural  

1. An Austrian nobleman and political leader of the early nineteenth century; he was chancellor, or head, of the Austrian government for nearly forty years. Through his leadership at the Congress of Vienna and elsewhere, Metternich restored order in Europe after the fall of the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. He did so, however, to the advantage of the European kings and princes and at the expense of movements toward democracy in Europe.

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