1. The Congress of Vienna

2. The Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings of European heads of government to establish long-lasting peace and stability on the continent after the defeat of Napoleon
Set up policies to ensure peace

3. The Great Powers Russia, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, and France
Klemens von Metternich- foreign minister from Austria
Most influential representative

4. Klemens von Metternich
Three goals at the Congress of Vienna
1) Containment of France- Prevent future French aggression by surrounding France with stronger countries
2) Restore a balance of power so that no country would be a threat to others
3) Legitimacy- Restore Europe’s royal families to the thrones they had held before Napoleon

5. Success of the Congress of Vienna
First time the nations of an entire continent had cooperated to control political affairs
It did not sow the seeds of future wars because it was fair to all nations involved
Ensured a balance of power
None of the five great powers waged war on one another for nearly 40 years

6. Impact of the French Revolution
Several nations worried that this would encourage their people to start revolutions
Holy Alliance- Austria, Prussia, and Russia pledged to base their relations with other nations on Christian principles in order to combat the forces of revolution
Concert of Europe- Ensured that nations would help one another if any revolutions broke out

7. Legacy
Congress of Vienna would influence world politics for the next 100 years
Nationalism began to spread throughout Europe
French Revolution forever changed ideas about the basis of power and authority
More and more, people saw democracy as the best way to ensure equality and justice for all