1. The Congress of Vienna 1815

2. After Napoleon
Since European borders had shifted, monarchs deposed, empires established, republics emerged and disappeared
Liberty, constitutionalism, equality and nationalism ideas had spread throughout Europe
What was the task ahead of the leaders in Vienna in 1815?
Stabilize borders
Stabilize regimes
Stabilize commerce
Stabilize diplomacy and relations
Satisfy all participants to deter revolutions
Stop Napoleon again

3. He’s Back! Exiled to the Mediterranean island of Elba
Escaped in Feb the force sent to capture him was led by Marshal Ney (friend of Napoleon)- he just helped him
Soldiers from far and wide rushed to join him- Louis XVIII fled Paris
Next 100 days were spent reorganizing France and the army
June 1815 Waterloo, Belgium- Napoleon vs. Prussian Anglo Alliance (Blucher and Wellington)
Napoleon is defeated and exiled to St. Helena (mid Atlantic ocean)

4. Why not execute Napoleon?

5. The Congress after Napoleon
After his final defeat- the Congress had a concrete set of principles:
Balance of Power
Legitimacy
Buffer States
Conservatism

6. Balance of Power
The major powers: Great Britain, France, Austria, Prussia and Russia
They should remain roughly balanced in land size (independence of action)
Collective security- any attack on one nation is an attack on the others- deter
During Napoleon his power was so strong that alliances didn’t work- all must agree to defend the borders
Therefore France was be included in the Congress and her borders were returned to her 1790 borders

7. Legitimacy
Restore all leaders and regimes overthrown by revolutionary and Napoleonic expansion
Bourbons in France, Spain, Portugal, Tuscany and Modena
Why must this occur?

8. Buffer States France must be buffered (and Russia too…)
Lesser powers were reconstituted or enlarged around France
Piedmont- Sardinia, Belgium, Netherlands, German Confederation
Prussian acquisitions on the west of the Rhine….interesting

9. Conservatism
No one forgot how this whole mess started- overthrow of absolutist king by “children of the enlightenment”
Must be more than a fear of change in Europe- stable society was created through conservative institutions
Reason was not a sufficient basis for a society- all members of society can prosper in conservative institutions
Members of the congress agreed to help suppress any radical ideas within Europe
1819 Carlsbad Decrees by Metternich- nationalist expressions in Germany and Manchester

10. Was there a winner at the Congress of Vienna?

12. Congress of Vienna No All powers achieved something
Britain emerged as the dominant colonial power in the world
Russia finally got to involve itself in European affairs
Through Metternich, Austria became the dominant power in Central Europe
He ensured that all powers would help one another deter and suppress anything that would upset stability
It is really the initiation of a battle between conservatism and liberalism/nationalism

13. What order can then be placed on these 26 years of turmoil in Europe What patterns emerge?

14. Congress of Vienna The revolution in France started due to:
Intellectual trends emphasizing change and individualism
A change in the social and economic status of the bourgeoisie with no change in their political status
Inability of the royal government to solve a financial crisis by accessing the wealth of the nation
Popular unrest created by food shortages and high bread prices

15. Aims of the Great Powers
Territorial?
Political?
Ideological?
Economical?