Congress of Vienna Notes

Key Players at the Congress of Vienna

• Tsar Alexander (Russia)
• King of Prussia
• Prince Metternich (Austria)
• British Viscount
• French Minister

Key Principles Established at Vienna

• Metternich's three goals:
  • Prevent future French aggression by surrounding France with stronger countries.
  • Restore a balance of power in Europe, ensuring no single country is a threat.
  • Restore legitimacy by returning Europe's royal families to their thrones.

Goals of the Congress of Vienna

• To revert Europe to the state before the French Revolution.
• Establish a balance of power to prevent any one country from becoming too powerful.
• Redraw the map of Europe to weaken France.
• The Congress of Vienna (1815) was a peace conference held after Napoleon's defeat, led by Metternich.

Changes Made at Vienna

• France lost all territories conquered by Napoleon.
• The Austrian Netherlands and the Dutch Republic were united to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
• A Germanic Confederation of 39 states (including Prussia) was created from the previous 300, under Austrian rule.
• Switzerland became independent.
• The Kingdom of Sardinia was strengthened by adding Genoa (Italy).

Europe After the Congress of Vienna

• The Congress of Vienna adopted a lenient approach towards France to prevent resentment and desire for revenge.
  • France relinquished conquered territories but retained its previous borders.
• The new European arrangement ensured that no single country could easily overpower another.

Results of the Congress of Vienna

• The settlements were fair enough that countries did not hold grudges.
• The peace established lasted for 38 years.
• The effects of the Congress of Vienna were felt for the next 100 years.