The Congress of Vienna Meets!
Wants to go BACK = turn back time! Congress of Vienna Wants to go BACK = turn back time!
Europe wants to go BACK to what? They want to go BACK to before 1789 (French Rev.) = before Napoleon!! B: Balance of power - no country in Europe too powerful A: A new map of Europe drawn (France weaker) C: Concert of Europe European countries working together to solve problems K: Kings restored to power
Key Players at Vienna Foreign Minister, Viscount Castlereagh (Br.) Tsar Alexander I (Rus.) The “Host” Prince Klemens von Metternich (Aus.) Prince Karl August von Hardenberg (Prus.) Foreign Minister, Charles Maurice de Tallyrand (Fr.)
Leader Country Goals Outcome Czar Alexander I Russia Obtain Poland Alliance of Christian monarchs Control of Finland and part of Poland Formed the Holy Alliance
Prince Karl August von Hardenberg Leader Country Goals Outcome Prince Karl August von Hardenberg Prussia Redraw map of Europe Power to monarchs Balance of power Gained territory back
Prince Klemens von Metternich Leader Country Goals Outcome Prince Klemens von Metternich Austria Peace Surround France with strong countries
Keep Russia and France from getting power Leader Country Goals Outcome Lord Castlereagh Great Britain Keep Russia and France from getting power Strong Germany and Italy Redrew map Concert of Europe Gained control of seas
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand Leader Country Goals Outcome Charles Maurice de Talleyrand France Keep France in one piece Have a voice in negotiations Lost territory taken by Napoleon Monarchy restored (Bourbon – Louis XVI’s brother, Louis XVIII)
The Goals The Congress of Vienna: Attempted to stop the tide of nationalism. Sought to restore absolutist ruling families to the thrones of Europe (legitimacy). Maintain a balance of power. A balance of power means that one nation should not be allowed to dominate and threaten other nations.
Balance of Power & Compensation Coalition forces would occupy France for 3-5 years. Buffer states would surround France. France would have to pay a reparation of 700,000,000 francs. Territory that Napoleon took would be returned.
Map of Europe during Napoleon’s reign (1812) Geographic Changes Map of Europe during Napoleon’s reign (1812)
Map of Europe – AFTER the Congress of Vienna
What was the legacy of the Congress of Vienna?
The Legacy: Maintaining the New System Leaders formed relationships that made a ‘concerted’ effort to try and ensure stability in Europe: Holy Alliance: Russia, Austria, and Prussia (existed only on paper) Concert of Europe: Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria, France Austria: ‘concerted’ = individually defend status quo England: ‘concerted’ = work together
The Legacy: Relative peace lasted until 20th century The Congress of Vienna was successful in suppressing nationalistic movements from 1815 to 1848, a period also known as the Age of Metternich. Nationalism would eventually return to Europe. Nationalistic movements in Italy and Germany would result in unified, sovereign nation-states. Congress of Vienna Start: 11:23 Stop: 16:04