The Congress of Vienna (September 1, 1814 – June 9, 1815)
Coin Commemorating the Opening of the Congress of Vienna
Metternich’s Plan for Europe A Meeting of Nations Congress of Vienna – series of meetings that reshape Europe Intended to last four weeks Lasted eight months Metternich and the Great Powers Klemens von Metternich-foreign minister of Austria, influential at Congress
Members Five European “great powers” Austria Prussia Russia Great Britain France
Representatives of Austria Foreign Minister, Prince Klemens von Metternich Emperor Francis I of Austria
Representatives of Prussia Karl von Hardenberg Wilhelm von Humboldt King Frederick William III of Prussia
Representatives of Russia Count Karl Nesselrode Czar Alexander I of Russia
Representatives of Great Britain Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Richard Trench, 2nd Earl of Clancarty Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh
Representatives of France Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
Klemens von Metternich Had three goals: Surround France with strong countries to prevent future French aggression Restore a balance of power between the nations Restore royal families to thrones
The Containment of France Kingdom of Netherlands formed Switzerland made independent Austria dominates new German Confederation of 39 Germany states Kingdom of Sardinia is strengthened by adding Genoa
Balance of Power European powers weaken France but leave it mostly intact If pushed too hard, France might try to rebel
Legitimacy Monarchs deposed by Napoleon are returned to thrones Leaders hope to restore order by these changes Congress of Vienna succeeds in getting all European countries together
Political Changes Beyond Vienna Constitutional Monarchies Britain France Absolute Monarchies Russia Prussia Austria Holy Alliance Russia, Prussia, Austria pledge based on Christianity to fight revolution Concert of Europe Nations would help one another if revolutions broke out
Revolution in Latin America Napoleon’s replacing of king in Spain sets off rebellions in Spanish America Liberal creoles vs. royalist peninsulares Many former colonies of Spain and Portugal gain independence
Long-Term Legacy Conservative reaction Decline in French power Growth of nationalism Revolutions in Latin America