Explain how either Napoleon or Robespierre are an example of “Absolute power corrupts absolutely”? 10 Reading Notes 17.6

European powers were determined to restore order in Europe and suppress any danger of political upheaval. The four major countries involved were: Great Britain, Austria, Russia and Prussia. Four principles: 1.Countries most effected by Napoleon had to be compensated for their losses 2.The balance of power had to be restored. 3.All former ruling families were to return to the throne. 4.Victorious allies expected to be rewarded for defeating Napoleon and penalize countries that cooperated with Napoleon.

 France was deprived of all territory conquered by Napoleon  The Dutch Republic was united with the Austrian Netherlands to form a single kingdom of the Netherlands under the House of Orange.  Norway and Sweden were joined under a single ruler  Switzerland was declared neutral  Russia got Finland and effective control over the new kingdom of Poland  Prussia was given much of Saxony and important parts of Westphalia and the Rhine Province.  Austria was given back most of the territory it had lost and was also given land in Germany and Italy (Lombardia and Venice)  Britain got several strategic colonial territories, and they also gained control of the seas.  France was restored under the rule of Louis XVIII.  Spain was restored under Ferdinand VII

France was stripped of its conquests, and its boundaries were returned to where they had been in Had to pay a compensation to other countries they inflicted harm upon. France had to pay for forts that the victorious nations now had to maintain on French borders. The Bourbon family were restored to the throne of France, Spain and the kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Even the defeated French had a representative at the Congress of Vienna- his name was Charles- Maurice Talleyrand. He played a unique and important role representing the French monarchy, under Louis XVIII. He negotiated on behalf of the French ensuring that unjust punishments were limited and that France maintained some authority within the European community of countries.

The idea of a possible future revolution led many countries to maintain old alliances to ensure peace. Quadruple alliance= Great Britain, Austria, Prussia and Russia (1815) Holy Alliance = a pledge initiated by Tsar Alexander I of Russia, It stated that the members would rule as Christian princes- all in Europe signed except Great Britain, The Turkish Sultan and the pope. The Concert of Europe formed to help solve European issues peacefully.

For 30 years after the Congress of Vienna, Prince Metternich influenced Europe so strongly that the period is often times called the Age of Metternich. He was a reactionary who pressed for absolute monarchies. He believed in suppressing ideas such as freedom of speech and the press. He aimed to prevent war or revolution. In his country, Austria, he established a secret police to spy on revolutionary organizations.

Please fill out the graphic organizer with information from the Congress of Vienna.

They received the Austrian Netherlands and became the single Kingdom of the Netherlands.