1. The Congress of Vienna
Chapter 7, Section 5

2. Essential Questions
What were the main goals of the Congress of Vienna and why were they so important?

3. 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”

4. 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?

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. 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

8. 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!

9. 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

10. Alliances:
Holy Alliance: Russia, Prussia, Austria
Protect one another no matter what
Concert of Europe: all other countries
Built by Metternich in his PLAN.

11. Revolution:
Worked in America
Kind of works in France
But nationalism will inspire other groups to overthrow foreign govt. and establish their own.

12. 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