The Congress of ViennaThe Congress of Vienna

November, 1814 – June, 1815November, 1814 – June, 1815

Its goal: Its goal: Deal with the mess that Deal with the mess that Napoleon left Europe in after his Napoleon left Europe in after his abdication and exile to Elba.abdication and exile to Elba.

I. Europe After NapoleonI. Europe After Napoleon

Congress of ViennaCongress of Vienna (1814-1815) (1814-1815)

• Almost every state in Europe sent a representative.Almost every state in Europe sent a representative.

• Leading political figures from the four powers Leading political figures from the four powers gathered in Vienna to decide the fate of Europe.gathered in Vienna to decide the fate of Europe.

- Austria – Clemens von Metternich- Austria – Clemens von Metternich- Russia – Czar Alexander I- Russia – Czar Alexander I- Great Britain – Lord Robert Castelreagh- Great Britain – Lord Robert Castelreagh- Prussia – Prince Karl Hardenburg- Prussia – Prince Karl Hardenburg

The Four LeadersThe Four Leaders

Clemens von Metternich

Czar Alexander I

Lord Robert Castelreagh

Prince Karl Hardenburg

The Congress of Vienna The Congress of Vienna convenes under the leadership convenes under the leadership

of Metternichof Metternich

Europe After NapoleonEurope After Napoleon

Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)

• Most of Europe’s leaders hoped to nullify revolutionary and Most of Europe’s leaders hoped to nullify revolutionary and Napoleonic reforms and restore the old order (pre-1789). Napoleonic reforms and restore the old order (pre-1789).

- Under the principle of “- Under the principle of “LegitimacyLegitimacy” they hoped to ” they hoped to restore the original rulers to the thrones of countries that restore the original rulers to the thrones of countries that Napoleon conquered or created.Napoleon conquered or created.

- Under the principle of “- Under the principle of “CompensationCompensation” the map of ” the map of Europe was redrawn to compensate countries for their losses Europe was redrawn to compensate countries for their losses to Napoleon and/or to reward them for their contributions to to Napoleon and/or to reward them for their contributions to the defeat of Napoleon. the defeat of Napoleon.

Changes to the map Changes to the map instituted by the Congress of instituted by the Congress of

ViennaVienna

Europe 1812 Europe 1815

Changes to the map Changes to the map instituted by the Congress of instituted by the Congress of

ViennaVienna►EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES:►RussiaRussia received most of the former Grand received most of the former Grand

Duchy of Warsaw, Finland (from Sweden) Duchy of Warsaw, Finland (from Sweden) and Bessarabia (from the Ottoman Empire)and Bessarabia (from the Ottoman Empire)

►PrussiaPrussia received two-fifths of Saxony, received two-fifths of Saxony, Westphalia and Swedish Pomerania from Westphalia and Swedish Pomerania from the HRE; they also received the Rhine the HRE; they also received the Rhine River provinces from FranceRiver provinces from France

Changes to the map Changes to the map instituted by the Congress of instituted by the Congress of

Vienna (cont.)Vienna (cont.)►AustriaAustria received Lombardy, Venetia, Illyria, received Lombardy, Venetia, Illyria, Dalmatia and GaliciaDalmatia and Galicia

►BritainBritain received overseas colonies such as received overseas colonies such as Cape Colony, Ceylon, Mauritius, Malta, the Cape Colony, Ceylon, Mauritius, Malta, the Ionian Islands and Heligoland (two islands of Ionian Islands and Heligoland (two islands of the coast of Germany)the coast of Germany)

►SwitzerlandSwitzerland became independent and neutral became independent and neutral

Changes to the map Changes to the map instituted by the Congress of instituted by the Congress of

Vienna (cont.)Vienna (cont.)►The The German Confederation German Confederation replaced the replaced the HRE. It consisted of 39 states rather than HRE. It consisted of 39 states rather than 300+ states of the HRE300+ states of the HRE

►The The Italian Peninsula Italian Peninsula was divided into was divided into various kingdomsvarious kingdoms

►The The Kingdom of the Netherlands Kingdom of the Netherlands (Holland) gained Belgium, as a defense (Holland) gained Belgium, as a defense against Franceagainst France

Europe After NapoleonEurope After Napoleon• France’s representative, Charles Talleyrand was able to convince the France’s representative, Charles Talleyrand was able to convince the

Congress that France should remain a strong, respected country.Congress that France should remain a strong, respected country.

• The guiding principle of international relations at the Congress of Vienna The guiding principle of international relations at the Congress of Vienna was “was “Balance of Power”Balance of Power”. Its purpose was to establish a lasting peace in . Its purpose was to establish a lasting peace in Europe.Europe.

• Originally, the four powers established a “Originally, the four powers established a “Quadruple AllianceQuadruple Alliance” whose ” whose purpose was to prevent war in Europe. Later, France was added to establish purpose was to prevent war in Europe. Later, France was added to establish the “the “Quintuple AllianceQuintuple Alliance”.”.

• Russian Czar Alexander I proposed a “Russian Czar Alexander I proposed a “Holy AllianceHoly Alliance” of Christian nations ” of Christian nations against revolutionary upheavals anywhere in Europe.against revolutionary upheavals anywhere in Europe.

- Austria & Prussia agreed, Britain didn’t.- Austria & Prussia agreed, Britain didn’t.- Britain wanted to reserve the right to act according to its - Britain wanted to reserve the right to act according to its interests, not anyone else’s. interests, not anyone else’s.

• The decisions made at Vienna ensured peace in Europe until 1850 and no The decisions made at Vienna ensured peace in Europe until 1850 and no major wars until World War I (1914).major wars until World War I (1914).

Hard Work and PlayHard Work and PlayThe Congress of The Congress of

Vienna was Vienna was noted for its noted for its lavish parties, lavish parties, great feasts, great feasts, romances, romances, and and consumption consumption of alcohol – all of alcohol – all in the name in the name of Diplomacy.of Diplomacy.