The Congress of Vienna 1815

After Napoleon Since 1789- European borders had shifted, monarchs deposed, empires established, republics emerged and disappeared Liberty, constitutionalism, equality and nationalism ideas had spread throughout Europe What was the task ahead of the leaders in Vienna in 1815? - Stabilize borders - Stabilize regimes - Stabilize commerce - Stabilize diplomacy and relations Satisfy all participants to deter revolutions Stop a Napoleon from ever existing again

He’s Back! Exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba Escaped in Feb. 1815- the force sent to capture him was led by Marshal Ney (friend of Napoleon)- he just helped him Soldiers from far and wide rushed to join him- Louis XVIII fled Paris Next 100 days were spent reorganizing France and the army June 1815 Waterloo, Belgium- Napoleon vs. Prussian Anglo Alliance (Blucher and Wellington) Napoleon is defeated and exiled to St. Helena (mid Atlantic ocean)

Why not execute Napoleon?

The Congress after Napoleon After his final defeat- the Congress had a concrete set of principles: Balance of Power Legitimacy Buffer States Conservatism

Balance of Power The major powers: Great Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia They should remain roughly balanced in land size (independence of action) Collective security- any attack on one nation is an attack on the others- deter During Napoleon his power was so strong that alliances didn’t work- all must agree to defend the borders Therefore France was be included in the Congress and her borders were returned to her 1790 borders- along with a few other things that were returned

Legitimacy Restore all leaders and regimes overthrown by revolutionary and Napoleonic expansion Bourbons in France, Spain, Portugal, Tuscany and Modena Why must this occur?

Buffer States France must be buffered (and Russia too…) Lesser powers were reconstituted or enlarged around France Piedmont- Sardinia, Belgium, Netherlands, German Confederation Prussian acquisitions on the west of the Rhine….interesting

Conservatism No one forgot how this whole mess started- overthrow of absolutist king by “children of the enlightenment” Must be more than a fear of change in Europe- stable society was created through conservative institutions Reason was not a sufficient basis for a society- all members of society can prosper in conservative institutions Members of the congress agreed to help suppress any radical ideas within Europe Prince Metternich

Was there a winner at the Congress of Vienna?

Congress of Vienna …Nope All powers achieved something (but what were their aims?) Britain emerged as the dominant colonial power in the world Russia finally got to involve itself in European affairs Through Metternich, Austria became the dominant power in Central Europe (He ensured that all powers would help one another deter and suppress anything that would upset stability) It is really the initiation of a battle between conservatism and liberalism/nationalism

What order can then be placed on these 26 years of turmoil in Europe What patterns emerge?

Congress of Vienna The revolution in France started due to: Intellectual trends emphasizing change and individualism A change in the social and economic status of the bourgeoisie with no change in their political status Inability of the royal government to solve a financial crisis by accessing the wealth of the nation Popular unrest created by food shortages and high bread prices

Aims of the Great Powers Territorial? Political? Ideological? Economical?