The Congress of Vienna

The Cost of the Napoleonic Wars Psychological Europe was at war for almost 10 years straight. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers die in battle. Hundreds of thousands of civilians die of starvation, disease, etc.

The Cost of the Napoleonic Wars Economic Countries spent millions of dollars on war

The Cost of the Napoleonic Wars Geographic Napoleon redrew the map of Europe He was afraid of other strong rulers

Napoleon’s Europe

The Big Question Should the victors (England, Prussia, Russia and Austria) punish France? If so, how much? Should France be wiped off the map?

How much do we punish France? A LOT Would prevent popular uprisings (like the French Revolution) from happening again in the future. Would limit the power of France (who was the aggressor for the past 10 years of war)

NOT MUCH Would allow Europe to mend its wounds. Would keep a strong nation around to balance out other nations. How much do we punish France?

The Congress of Vienna Meeting organized by Emperor Francis I of Austria. Goal was to have major European nations meet and clean up the mess that Napoleon made.

Major nations represented were Britain, Prussia, Russia, Austria (the winners) and France (even though they didn’t have much of a say)

Prince Klemens von Metternich Foreign Minister of Austria Dominated the Congress of Vienna Spoke five languages Younger than most nation’s representatives Respected for his diplomatic abilities

Metternich’s Three Goals 1) Strengthen Countries that surrounded France

2) Restore the Balance of Power in Europe which France had upset

3) Restore the old royal families to power

Strengthen Countries Surrounding France Alliance Powers were afraid of a strong France =

Goal was to create stronger nations to pen France in Kingdom of the Netherlands was created 39 German states organized into a German Confederation Switzerland recognized as a neutral nation Kingdom of Sardinia strengthened

Restore Balance of Power “Balance of Power” Definition – Plan to create countries of equal strength so that no one country dominated the others.

Restore Balance of Power Metternich realized that if they destroyed France, that would upset the balance of power too much. France’s borders were returned to where they were in France got to keep its king, army and foreign colonies

Restore Balance of Power To the victor go the spoils Russia got control of most of Poland Austria got control of Italian states Prussia got some German Territories England got several overseas territories

Restore Royal Families Metternich, and many powerful Europeans, feared the mob rule that the French Revolution had created. Napoleon was a product of the French Revolution.

Based on the principle of “legitimacy” Former kings were the true rulers, and should get their power back

Restore Royal Families King of Spain restored Princes returned to power in Italian and German States

THE IMPACT OF THE CONGRESS OF VIENNA

Major Impacts France was surrounded by stronger countries Balance of Power was restored to Europe Kings returned to rule in their Kingdoms Caused some problems in the near future with Nationalist movement

Major wars ware avoided in Europe for the next 100 years

Europe after the Congress of Vienna

New Political Philosophies

Three new political philosophies Conservatism Liberalism Radicalism

Conservatism People favoring either slow change or no change Thought that the French Revolution caused nothing but harm Favored monarchy Supporters included European leaders, nobles and wealthy landowners

Liberalism People who favor change Thought the early stages of the French Revolution were ok Wanted to give more power to elected parliaments Supporters included bourgeoisie, merchants, educated people

Radicalism Favored drastic, and sometimes violent, change Thought the Reign of Terror was ok to get democracy going in France Wanted democracy Supporters include low classes and students Not a large group