1. Chapter 7 Section 5 The Congress of Vienna
Objective: Explain the influence of the Congress of Vienna
Vocabulary: Congress of Vienna, Klemens von Metternich, Balance of Power, Legitimacy, Holy Alliance, & Concert of Europe

2. Setting the Stage
European leaders decided to meet to discuss the future of Europe
Congress of Vienna: a series of meetings during which the European leaders sought to establish long-lasting peace & stability after the defeat of Napoleon
The congress was scheduled for 4 weeks but it lasted 8 months
What might happen in France if they didn’t have a meeting to establish long-lasting peace?

3. Check for Understanding
What happened to Napoleon after he was defeated at Waterloo?
They executed him
They exiled him to a remote island
He died in prison, while awaiting trial

4. Metternich’s Plan for Europe
Most of the decisions at the congress were made among representatives of the five “great powers” – Russia, Prussia, Austria, Great Britain, & France
Foreign minister of Austria, Prince Klemens von Metternich was the most influential representative
Metternich had 3 main goals
Prevent French aggression
Restore a balance of power
Restore Europe’s royal families to their thrones
Winter of 1814 to 1815
Why is important to include France in this meeting?

5. Check for Understanding
While restoring the Monarchs in Europe. They chose leaders who had…..
A big army
A lot of money
A blood line (rightful heir)

6. The Containment of France
To make the weak countries around France stronger the congress decided to
United the Austrian Netherlands & Dutch Republic
Joined 39 German states into a loose German Confederation
The changes made around France enabled the countries of Europe to contain France & prevent it from overpowering weaker nations

7. Balance of Power
They didn’t want to severely punish France, because it might encourage the French to take revenge
France remained a major but diminished European power
Balance of power: a political situation in which no one nation is powerful enough to pose a threat to others
How does the balance of power work?
Demonstration.

8. Legitimacy
The congress implemented legitimacy (a hereditary right of a monarch to rule)
They restored to power the monarchs that Napoleon had removed from their thrones
The congress was successful because it was fair enough that no country was left bearing a grudge
The congress created peace in Europe for nearly 40 years
This included France, Spain, several other states in Italy, & Central Europe
They would come to each other’s aid in case of threats to their peace

9. Political Changes Beyond Vienna
Kings & princes resumed power in country after country
Britain & France had strong constitutional monarchies
However, Eastern & Central Europe still had absolute monarchs

10. Conservative Europe
Rulers were still worried that the ideals of liberty, equality, & fraternity might encourage revolutions elsewhere
Russia, Austria, & Prussia signed an agreement called the Holy Alliance (based on Christian principles & to help combat the forces of revolution)
Concert of Europe: series of alliances among European nations in the 19th century, created to prevent the outbreak of revolutions
The revolution had a huge effect on Europe; there was a mixture of ideas
Why is it called the Holy Alliance?

13. Revolution in Latin America
Creoles (colonists born in Spanish America) seized control of many colonies in the Americas
When the king was restored to the throne, royalists tried to regain control of the colonial governments
Mexicans rose in revolt & successfully threw off Spain’s control
Other Spanish colonies in Latin America also claimed independence
Brazil declared independence from Portugal

14. Check for Understanding
What colony of the French sparked their own revolution for independence?
Haiti
Louisiana
Canada

15. Long-Term Legacy
The congress decreased the power of France but increased the power of Great Britain & Prussia
Nationalism began to spread in Italy, Germany, Greece
These feelings exploded into revolutions & new nations would be formed
People began to see democracy as the best way to ensure equality & justice for all