The Congress of Vienna Conservatives Triumph in Europe

Setting the Stage A.European heads of government were looking to establish peace & stability after the fall of Napoleon B.The Congress of Vienna was called to achieve this goal C.Originally scheduled for 4 weeks; lasted 8 months

Klemens von Metternich A.Metternich Restores Stability 1. Foreign minister of Austria 2. believed that Napoleon’s dictatorship had been the outcome of experiments with democracy

Metternich’s 3 Goals 1.Prevent future French aggression by surrounding it with powerful nations 2.Restore a Balance of Power in Europe 3. Restore Europe’s royal families to their thrones

Outcomes of the Congress of Vienna 1.France’s power is reduced but not completely taken away 2.France allowed to keep its army, overseas possessions, and an independent government 3.Affirmed the principle of legitimacy; those monarchs whose power was taken by Napoleon get it back 4.Created a lasting peace in Europe

Political Changes Beyond Vienna Austria, Russia, Prussia form the Holy Alliance for mutual protection Against democracy, revolution, secularism

The Concert of Europe Metternich’s brainchild of a permanent alliance system in Europe that will keep peace and prevent revolutionsMetternich’s brainchild of a permanent alliance system in Europe that will keep peace and prevent revolutions Composed of the Quadruple Alliance of Russia, Prussia, Austria & BritainComposed of the Quadruple Alliance of Russia, Prussia, Austria & Britain This is Europe’s first attempt at a peace keeping organization (League of Nations, U.N. will come later)This is Europe’s first attempt at a peace keeping organization (League of Nations, U.N. will come later)

Long Term Legacy of the Congress of Vienna 1.The efforts to maintain a balance of power diminished the influence of France, instead, Britain and Prussia were set to become the dominant world powers 2.Feelings of nationalism began to grow in Italy, Germany & Greece