Congress of Vienna

Berlin .Gendarmenmarkt .Deutscher Dom 010

Congress of Vienna was a conference of ambassadors of European states chaired by Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich, and held in Vienna from November 1814 to June 1815. The objective of the Congress was to provide a long-term peace plan for Europe by settling critical issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. The goal was to reshape Europe's political map after the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte, restoring the balance of power and returning to the pre-war status quo.

Background

Following the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars, which had spread across Europe and beyond, the major powers of Europe sought to establish a lasting peace and stability on the continent. The Congress of Vienna was convened in 1814, after the abdication of Napoleon, with the main participants being the victorious allies: the United Kingdom, Russia, Prussia, and Austria. France was also represented and had a voice in the negotiations.

Objectives

The main objectives of the Congress were to redraw the map of Europe and to create a balance of power that would prevent imperialism within Europe, such as the expansionist policies of France, and maintain peace between the great powers. Other goals included the restoration of old boundaries, the establishment of new states, and the introduction of new political arrangements to ensure stability and security in Europe.

Outcomes

The Congress of Vienna led to several significant outcomes:

• The establishment of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including both the Northern and Southern Netherlands.
• The creation of the German Confederation, a loose association of 39 German states.
• Restoration of the Bourbon monarchy in Spain and the kingdom of Naples and Sicily.
• Recognition of Switzerland's perpetual neutrality.
• The division of the Duchy of Warsaw among Prussia, Russia, and Austria.
• The return of territories annexed by France to their previous sovereigns.

These decisions were made to strengthen the countries surrounding France to prevent future French aggression and to establish a balance of power.

Legacy

The Congress of Vienna is considered a success in terms of achieving its immediate goals. It established a framework for international relations that led to nearly a century of peace in Europe, known as the Concert of Europe. The Congress system also introduced the principle of collective security, where the great powers would work together to resolve international disputes peacefully.

However, the Congress of Vienna has been criticized for ignoring national and liberal aspirations, leading to future conflicts. The decisions made during the Congress influenced the map of Europe until World War I.

See Also

• Balance of Power (international relations)
• Holy Alliance
• Quadruple Alliance (1815)
• Concert of Europe