The Congress of Vienna The cause of legitimacy

What do these terms mean? Legitimacy Balance of Power Concert of Europe

Maps: What is the Difference? Europe 1810

Maps: What is the Difference? Europe 1815

The World 1815

Congress of Vienna wants to go BACK to before 1789 Q: What happened in 1789?

Congress of Vienna wants to go BACK before the French Revolution Q: What country had gotten too powerful? : Balance of power - no country in Europe too powerful : A new map of Europe drawn (France weaker) : Congress of Vienna: (1815) Peace Conference after Napoleon (Metternich = leader) : Kings restored to power (legitimacy)

Architects Prince Metternich Austria Prince Talleyrand France

Affects of the Congress of Vienna Vienna Britain – Gained certain colonies France – Bourbons restored, lost some border lands Netherlands – United with Belgium to block France Austria – Regained lost lands and increased lands in Italy Germany – 27 independent Kingdoms and Principalities united into a German Confederation Prussia – gained land in Western Germany Italy – still disunited. Piedmont now largest state. Nationalism begins to grow. Poland – divided between Austria, Prussia, and Russia Russia – a major power in European affairs All powers agreed to abolish the slave trade

Consequences Balance of Power Although the leaders of Europe wanted to weaken France, they did not want to leave it powerless. If they severely punished France, they might encourage the French to take revenge. If they broke up France, then another country might become so strong that it would threaten them all. Thus, the victorious powers did not exact a great price from the defeated nation. As a result, France remained a major but diminished European power. Also, no country in Europe could easily overpower another Although the leaders of Europe wanted to weaken France, they did not want to leave it powerless. If they severely punished France, they might encourage the French to take revenge. If they broke up France, then another country might become so strong that it would threaten them all. Thus, the victorious powers did not exact a great price from the defeated nation. As a result, France remained a major but diminished European power. Also, no country in Europe could easily overpower another

Consequences Legitimacy The great powers affirmed the principle of legitimacy— agreeing that as many as possible of the rulers whom Napoleon had driven from their thrones be restored to power. The ruling families of France, Spain, and several states in Italy and Central Europe regained their thrones. The participants in the Congress of Vienna believed that the return of the former monarchs would stabilize political relations among the nations. The Congress of Vienna was a political triumph in many ways. For the first time, the nations of an entire continent had cooperated to control political affairs. The settlements they agreed upon were fair enough that no country was left bearing a grudge.

Consequences Therefore, the Congress did not sow the seeds of future wars. In that sense, it was more successful than many other peace meetings in history. By agreeing to come to one another’s aid in case of threats to peace, the European nations had temporarily ensured that there would be a balance of power on the continent. The Congress of Vienna, then, created a time of peace in Europe. It was a lasting peace. None of the five great powers waged war on one another for nearly 40 years

Views of the Congress What do they tell us?

Questions What sort of people would support Metternich's ideas? What sort of people would oppose them?

Activity: Mock Congress In your groups you are going to take on the role of one of the main powers at the Congress of Vienna

Activity: Mock Congress In your Group you will take on the role of: Military Adviser Political Adviser Geographer

Activity: Mock Congress The object of this is to find the necessary information to present your country and sovereign’s claims before the Congress. Basically you want to divide up the map of Europe in your country’s interests.

Activity: Mock Congress You will have nearly two day to prepare your case. On Thursday you will have five minutes to present to the Congress your case. After that, as at the Congress, you will be allowed to persuade the other delegates of your view by other means.

Website to use rains/webquest/index.htm rains/webquest/index.htm This will give you access to all the information you need to complete the worksheet