Summary The Congress of Vienna: A Complete Study Guide
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Course
European History
Institution
3rd Degree
**The Congress of Vienna: A Diplomatic Conference to Redraw Europe**
This document explores the key events and principles of the Congress of Vienna, a diplomatic conference that took place in . The conference aimed to reorganize Europe after the Napoleonic Wars by distributing territory and infl...
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Course : History
Theme : State Building in Europe
Topic : Congress of Vienna
Years : 1815
In Text
The Congress of Vienna was a diplomatic conference held from September 18, 1814, to
June 9, 1815, in Vienna, Austria. The congress was convened by the European powers,
including Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Great Britain, to reorganize Europe after the
Napoleonic Wars. The goal was to provide a long-term peace plan for Europe by settling
critical issues while balancing each other's power and remaining at peace.
The key principles established at the Congress of Vienna were:
1. Balance of Power: The congress aimed to prevent any one nation from becoming
too powerful. This was achieved by distributing territory and influence among the
great powers, ensuring that no single state could dominate the others.
2. Legitimacy: The old monarchy of France was restored to the throne, with King
Louis XVIII returning from exile. This principle emphasized the importance of
traditional monarchies and the divine right of kings.
3. Compensation/Reparations: As punishment for its role in the Napoleonic Wars,
France was required to pay an indemnity of 100 million francs to the coalition
forces. Additionally, French troops would occupy parts of France for 3-5 years to
ensure compliance.
4. Territorial Adjustments: The congress redrew the map of Europe by redistributing
territory among the great powers. Key changes included:
a. France was deprived of all territory conquered by Napoleon, including
Italy, Belgium, and parts of Germany.
b. Russia gained most of the Duchy of Warsaw (Poland), which had been
created by Napoleon.
c. Prussia gained half of Saxony, parts of Poland, and other German
territories.
d. Austria was given back territory it had lost recently, plus more in Germany
and Italy.
, Despite these efforts to restore stability and balance in Europe, the Congress of Vienna
was criticized for ignoring the liberal and nationalist hopes of many peoples. Nationalist
movements in Italy, Germany, and other regions had been inspired by Napoleon's
conquests and sought greater autonomy or independence from traditional monarchies.
The congress's emphasis on legitimacy and territorial adjustments perpetuated existing
power structures and suppressed these aspirations for self-determination.
The Congress of Vienna marked the beginning of a new era in European politics,
characterized by a return to conservative values and a focus on maintaining the status
quo. However, it also laid the groundwork for future conflicts as nationalist movements
continued to evolve and seek recognition in the decades that followed.
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