Congress of Vienna

Who was there? Austria- Klemens von Metternich Prussia- Frederick Wilhelm III Russia- Czar Alexander I Britain- Duke of Wellington France - Talleyrand

After Napoleon, European leaders wanted to restore stability Congress of Vienna- 1814-1815- meetings in Vienna to achieve goal of security and stability in Europe

Metternich Restores Stability Klemens von Metternich- Austrian minister 3 goals: Prevent future French aggression Restore balance of power Restore Europe’s royal families to their thrones

Containment of France Creation of Kingdom of the Netherlands German Confederation Switzerland – independence Genoa added to Sardinia

Balance of Power Powers didn’t want to destroy France completely but strengthen neighboring powers France kept its 1790 borders

Legitimacy Rulers back on thrones Congress tried to be fair to avoid the seeds of war No war between European powers until the Crimean war in 1853

Conservative Europe 1815- Holy Alliance- Russia, Austria, Prussia- kept absolute monarchies Concert of Europe- series of alliance where nations help each other Ideas of French Revolution still strong France and Britain constitutional monarchies

Revolution in Latin America Congress had restored Ferdinand VII to Spanish throne Revolts against the king broke out in Spanish America (except in Mexico), so Spain tightened control and Mexico revolted and gained independence Brazil followed and gained independence from Portugal

Long-Term Legacy Nationalism increased Increase in principles of democracy