The Congress of Vienna
• The French Revolution & the
Napoleonic Age had repeatedly
threatened the balance-of-power
(whereby no power was sufficiently
strong to impose its will on the
others) in Europe. It was this
balance-of-power that the Vienna
Congress sought to restore &
secure for the future. While
representatives participated from
all around Europe, it was really the
four great powers of Europe,
Britain, Russia, Prussia & Austria
(with the later addition of France
also) which shaped the major
decisions of the Congress
Oct. 1814 – June 1815
• After Napoleon’s defeat, Europe is left
disorganized.
• Four great victors of France (UK, Austria,
Prussia, Russia) meet in Vienna to determine
the future of the territories that were
shattered by the Napoleonic conquests.
• The aim was to reconstruct a European order.
• Two main principles of the negotiations:
(1) Preservation of political equilibrium among
the powers
(2) Restoration of old dynasties, driven out by
the revolutionary wave.
• Why the Congress of Vienna is important?
Decisions taken there redraw the political map
of Europe
http://www.the-map-as-history.com/demos/tome01/index.php
Outcomes of Vienna Congress
• Re-establishment of balance-of-power
• French borders restricted to pre-revolutionary war
levels
• Barrier of stronger / guaranteed territories formed
around France to prevent future expansion
(Belgium & Netherlands joined, German
Confederation (Bund) established, Swiss neutrality
guaranteed, N. Italian territory given to Austria,
territory ceded to Prussia)
• Return of the Bourbon Monarchy in France
The Congress System &
The Concert of Europe
• At Vienna also agreed to establish Congress System so
representatives of the Great Powers would meet regularly
to discuss pressing issues affecting Europe.
• After Verona in 1822 they became more & more irregular,
largely as a result of Britain’s desire not to get too involved
in Continental affairs.
1815 Congress of Vienna
1818 Congress at Aix-la-Chapelle
1820 Congress at Troppau
1821 Congress at Laibach
1822 Congress at Verona
The Congress System &
The Concert of Europe (2)
• Congress System outlived by the ‘Concert of Europe’
• This was a general understanding that Great Powers should
consult each other & reach consensus before taking impt.
military, territorial & diplomatic decisions & actions in
international affairs. Required basis of understanding &
harmony among these powers.
• Believed that through ‘Concert of Europe’ European political
system would be made more stable & the balance-of-power
preserved. Indeed one of basic principles was that of “no
annexation without ratification” (i.e. no state should take new
territories without the acceptance of the other Great Powers).
Map of Europe
post-Vienna Congress
The Quadruple Alliance
Prussia
Established to prevent
any threat to the
European balance-ofpower by France.
Britain
Russia
Austria
The Holy Alliance
AUSTRIA
PRUSSIA
RUSSIA
A joining of forces
to help each other
against threats
from revolutionary
influences.
• The new European order, drawn up in Vienna,
marks the revenge of Ancien Regime against the
ideals of French Revolution.
• It fails to meet national aspirations that are
growing in Europe.
weakening of empires
desire for independence