Macdonald World History Congress of Vienna Macdonald World History
Congress of Vienna was a series of meetings to determine what would happen to Europe after Napoleon
Europe after Napoleon Napoleon conquered much of Europe After his defeat at Waterloo and exile to St. Helena, much of Europe was left without a ruling power Congress of Vienna was a series of meetings to determine what would happen to Europe after Napoleon
Members Five “Great” Powers - Russia Prussia France Austria – most influential Prince Klemens von Metternich Great Britain
Goals Countries had three main goals: 1. Stop France from causing more wars 2. Restore “balance of power” (each country equally powerful to prevent wars) 3. Restore Europe’s royal families (bring back kings and queens that Napoleon removed)
Actions Taken Made countries around France stronger by joining them together – if France tried to expand would be stopped at their border Balanced power by adding or taking away land so all were more or less similar in size Brought back all the kings and queens
Effects Short term: Long term: Formed alliance called Concert of Europe in which countries promised to help each other if any revolutions occurred Conservatives took control of governments Long term: Relative peace in Europe for 100 years
Nationalism During this time, new concept of nationalism emerged Definition: Dedication to other ppl who share culture, customs, history and NOT your king Developed b/c ppl all over Europe were upset that a foreigner controlled them Caused countries to join together to fight for freedom based on this idea that ppl should be free of foreign control