The Congress of Vienna Chapter 7, Section 5
Essential Questions What were the main goals of the Congress of Vienna and why were they so important?
Main Idea: After exiling Napoleon, European leaders at the Congress of Vienna tried to restore order and establish peace in Europe Reestablish monarchies everywhere – Bad Idea Why It Matters Now: The United Nations still has difficulties maintaining and enforcing peace today Setting The Stage: European leaders wanted to meet in Vienna to plan the future of Europe Wanted to prevent future Revolutions, and prevent any more Emperors (Napoleon) Establish “peace through collective security”
Metternich’s Plan for Europe Most decisions made by: “power players” Russia Prussia Austria GB France All are Monarchies, and want to stay Monarchies. How?
Klemens von Metternich Austrian leader Most influential of the group Three goals in his “plan” Contain France so they can not cause any problems Balance of Power among all Euro nations including France Legitimacy, if possible leaders who were dethroned by Napoleon should be restored to power.
1. The Containment of France Take weak countries, unite them with their neighbors to form strong countries around France Creates new countries: Netherlands Ind. Switzerland Italy stronger Austria controls new Germany France can’t beat it’s neighbors now!
2. Balance of Power Make each country in the “group of 5” as strong as one another Even strengthened France, but not too much Limit military buildup Prevent war
3. Legitimacy Return the conquered Royal families back to power Monarchs = peace Democracy Bad = Revolution + Napoleon Easier for Monarchs to communicate instead of wage war Peace in Europe for 40 years System VERY successful!
Changes Beyond Vienna Two kinds of Monarchies in Europe now: Constitutional Monarchy (King + elected guys) GB France Absolute Monarchy (King only) All other countries in Europe
Alliances: Holy Alliance: Russia, Prussia, Austria Protect one another no matter what Concert of Europe: all other countries Built by Metternich in his PLAN.
Revolution: Worked in America Kind of works in France But nationalism will inspire other groups to overthrow foreign govt. and establish their own.
Legacy of Congress Vienna France weakened from Days of Napoleon Balance of Power Nationalism spreads across Europe Some areas of Europe controlled by foreign kings and queens People want to be ruled by their people and choose their own government New revolutions coming Revolution in France worked (for a while) Shows democracy in Europe is possible if done right