AP Euro Seminar By: John Filo 2/14/12

Seminar Topic “The Treaty of Vienna (1815) was a more realistic accommodation to the post-Napoleonic period than was the Versailles settlement (1919) to the post-First World War period.” Decide the merits of the statement above and in a well-developed argument support your decision with a carefully reasoned analysis of the events mentioned.

Treaty of Vienna - The Treaty of Vienna was seen as a Peace Settlement. - The Treaty of Vienna was established at an international conference called to create a balance of power among the European powers in such a way so as to prevent future wars and maintain peace and stability on the European continent, known as the Congress of Vienna. - The Congress was held by Klemens von Metternich of Austria. - The members who were involved in the Treaty of Vienna were the United Kingdom, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, known as the Quadruple Alliance.

Treaty of Vienna Cont. - The Great Powers-Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia, and France-used the balance of power to settle their own dangerous disputes at the Congress of Vienna. This balance of power meant an international equilibrium of political and military forces that would discourage aggression by any combination of states or, worse, the domination of Europe by any single state. There was general agreement among the victors that each of them should receive compensation in the form of territory for their successful struggle against the French. The members of the Quadruple Alliance agreed to meet periodically to discuss their common interest and to consider appropriate measures for the maintenance of peace in Europe. This agreement marked the beginning of the European “congress system,” which lasted long into the nineteenth century and settled many international crises through international conferences and balance-of-power diplomacy.

Why the Treaty of Vienna Was created - The main reason for the creation of the treaty of Vienna was the Napoleonic Wars. The Napoleonic Wars were a series of conflicts fought between France under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte and a number of European nations between 1799 and 1815. Napoleon was attempting to create a French empire around the world through conquering Europe and colonial expansion around the world thus, an alliance of European nations was formed to combat this threat. - These alliances of European nations were know as Coalitions. There were seven total coalitions who fought throughout the Napoleonic Wars. These coalitions consisted of Great Britain, Austria, Russia, Prussia, Ottoman Empire, Portugal, Naples, Vatican, Sweden, Saxony, and the German States.

Result of the Treaty of Vienna - Territorial Gains Russia was given most of the Duchy of Warsaw (Poland) and was allowed to keep Finland. A German Confederation of 38 states was created from the previous 360 of the Holy Roman Empire, under the presidency of the Austrian Emperor. Austria regained control of the Tirol and Salzburg. The King of Sardinia was restored in Piedmont, Nice, and Savoy, and was given control of Genoa. Swedish Pomerania, given to Denmark a year earlier in return for Norway, was ceded by Denmark to Prussia. France received back Guadeloupe from Sweden. - Overall The result of the Treaty of Vienna preserved peace throughout the European Nations as it allowed a balance of power between the nations by preventing one nation to gain massive power and land over other nations on the continent.

Treaty of Versailles - The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties at the end of World War I. It ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. The Allied Powers consisted of Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States. It was signed on 28 June 1919, exactly five years after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The establishment of the Treaty of Versailles came from the Big Four: It consisted of David Lloyd George of Great Britain, Georges Clemenceau of France, Vittorio Orlando of Italy, and Woodrow Wilson of the United States. The main objective of the Big Four was creating the Treaty of Versailles to ensure a lasting peace by punishing Germany and setting up a League of Nations to solve diplomatic problems.

Reasons for the Treaty and end of WWi - Germany began to crumble from within. Faced with the prospect of returning to sea, the sailors of the High Seas Fleet stationed at Kiel mutinied on October 29. Within a few days, the entire city was in their control and the revolution spread throughout the country. On November 9 the Kaiser abdicated; slipping across the border into the Netherlands and exile. -By 1918 there were strikes and demonstrations in Berlin and other cities protesting about the effects of the war on the population. The British used the Royal Navy to enforce a blockade of German ports. This blockade cut off the flow of raw materials and foodstuffs to Germany weakening the Army's weaponry and letting thousands to starve, thus playing a critical role in the outcome of the war. - Germany’s loss of power, leadership, and acts of revolution led to the German Armistice towards the Allied Powers, resulting in the end of WWI and the Treaty of Versailles.

The Terms on Germany The main terms of the Versailles Treaty on Germany were:  1.The Covenant of the League of Nations - Germany was not allowed to join. 2. The Rhineland was demilitarized - the German army was not allowed to go there. 3. The Saar, with its rich coalfields, given to France for 15 years. 4. Alsace-Lorraine returned to France. 5. Germany forbidden to unite with Austria. 6. Lands in eastern Germany - the rich farmlands of Posen and the Polish corridor between Germany and East Prussia - given to Poland. 7. Danzig made a free city under League of Nations control. 8. All Germany's colonies taken and given to France and Britain as 'mandates'. 9. The German army restricted to 100,000 men. 10. The German navy restricted to six battleships and no submarines. 11. Germany not allowed to have an air force. 12. Germany was responsible for causing all the loss and damage caused by the war. 13. Germany would have to pay reparations, to be decided later - eventually set at 132 billion gold marks.

Future Implications - The Peace of Versailles was an unsatisfactory compromise with little chance of ensuring an enduring peace.   Each of the 'Big Three' had different aims which had to be modified in order to reach an overall agreement and the Germans were not even allowed to take part in the negotiations.   Germany was humiliated, the French didn't feel completely secure, the British had wanted the re-establishment of trade more than anything else and the Americans had had to give up on their ideals of self determination where Germany was concerned. - The weakening of Germany due to the paying of reparations, the loss of massive territory, along with blame and humiliation of Germany led to upset of the society in Germany. This upset contributed to public resentment that soon developed into a strong nationalist movement and led to the rise of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler.

Compare and Contrast Treaty of Vienna: Treaty of Versailles: - Involved Austria, Britain, Prussia, Russia, and France. Established after the Napoleonic Wars. The goal achieved was to maintain the balance of power throughout the European Continent.  Did not exclude any power that had a part in the treaty. Prevented general European war for almost a century. Everyone agreed in the rules/regulations that were placed in the treaty. Treaty of Versailles: Consisted of the Allied Powers which were Britain, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States and also with Germany. Established after WWI. The goal achieved was to place restrictions, gain wealth, and gain territory from Germany. Excluded Germany from the making of the Treaty. Lead to the rise of the Nazi Party and WW2. Similarities: The main and primary intentions were both to establish peace. Both took place after major wars.