The Congress of Vienna Chapter 23, Section 5
Members Five European “great powers” Five European “great powers” Austria Austria Prussia Prussia Russia Russia Great Britain Great Britain France France
Representatives of Austria Foreign Minister, Prince Klemens von Metternich Foreign Minister, Prince Klemens von Metternich Emperor Francis I of Austria Emperor Francis I of Austria
Representatives of Prussia Karl von Hardenberg Karl von Hardenberg Wilhelm von Humboldt Wilhelm von Humboldt King Frederick William III of Prussia King Frederick William III of Prussia
Representatives of Russia Czar Alexander I of Russia Czar Alexander I of Russia Count Karl Nesselrode
Representatives of Great Britain Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Richard Trench, 2nd Earl of Clancarty
Representatives of France Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord
Goals Establish lasting peace and stability in Europe Prevent future French aggression Restore balance of power Restore royal families to thrones
Actions Taken Formed Kingdom of the Netherlands Created German Confederation Recognized independence of Switzerland Added Genoa to Kingdom of Sardinia Required France to return territories conquered by Napoleon but left France a major power Affirmed principle of legitimacy
Legacy Short-term Short-term Conservatives regained control of governments Triggered revolts in colonies Long-term Created an age of peace in Europe Diminished power of France and increased power of Britain and Prussia Sparked growth of nationalism
Klemens von Metternich’s efforts to establish peace and stability Metternich sought to maintain peace between European nations by creating a balance of power among rival countries so no country would be a threat to the others. To guard against revolutions, he set up a series of alliances called the Concert of Europe, which required nations to help one another if a revolution erupted.
The Congress of Vienna Section-5 After exiling Napoleon, European leaders at the Congress of Vienna try to restore order and reestablish peace.
Metternich’s Plan for Europe {continued} The Containment of France Kingdom of the Netherlands formed, and Switzerland made independent Austria dominates new German Confederation of 39 German states Kingdom of Sardinia is strengthened by adding Genoa Balance of Power European powers weaken France but leave it mostly intact The Congress of Vienna Section-5 Continued…
Metternich’s Plan for Europe {continued} Legitimacy Legitimacy—monarchs deposed by Napoleon are returned to thrones Leaders hope to restore order through these changes Congress of Vienna succeeds in getting all European governments together Fair deals are worked out so that the meeting does not lead to more war European nations agree to preserve peace, which lasts almost 40 years
Revolutions in Latin America Napoleon’s replacing king of Spain set off rebellions in Spanish America Many former colonies of Spain and Portugal gain independence Long-Term Legacy Britain, Prussia gain power; spreading nationalism leads to revolutions Political Changes Beyond Vienna Conservative Europe Holy Alliance—Russia, Prussia, Austria pledge to fight revolution Concert of Europe—European nations pledge to help fight revolutions Conservative governments rule across Europe, but new ideas have impact