The Congress of Vienna 1815

After Napoleon was defeated, it was necessary to make changes to the boundaries of Europe. Napoleon’s conquered territories and puppet republics needed to be reviewed. The leaders of this congress intended to make France pay for all of the disruptions that Napoleon caused. The congress was chaired by Prince Metternick who at that time was the Austrian Prime Minister. Metternick was under orders from his emperor to make sure that the monarchy would be preserved as well it should be restored in France mainly because the emperor felt threatened in his own country. Since borders between countries would be re-written, Metternick would attempt to secure for Austria all its former territories and more if necessary. The congress would undertake most of its policies in a very conservative way (it is better to exclude liberal ideas which would lead to revolution in Europe). The French Revolution would be criticized by the delegates at the congress mainly because of the legacy that it left behind (Nationalism and the execution of the monarchs).

The Conference of Vienna was bases on three principles:

1. Legitimacy – this meant that only the legal rules of the European countries should be monarchs.
2. Compensation – France would have to pay more than 700 million francs to countries that Napoleon invaded and caused damage. France would have to give up any claim to conquered territories.
3. Security – it was decided that in order to prevent somebody like Napoleon from coming to power again, the great monarchies of Europe would enter into alliances with each other.

In 1815, the Holy Alliance came into effect, including Russia, Austria and Prussia. The Quadruple Alliance of Russia, Austria, Prussia and Britain was also formed in 1815. In 1818 the Quintuple Alliance would be formed, Russia, Prussia Austria, Britain and France. This system of alliances was only a temporary measure and unfortunately it did not prevent war from happening in Europe.

Chief Territorial Agreements Made At Vienna, 1815

1. Napoleon’s Confederation of the Rhine broke up. In its place the German Confederation with its thirty nine member states were allowed self government, Austria now dominates.
2. Most of Italy goes under Austrian control.
3. Prussia got part of Saxony and all Swedish Pomerania and the left bank of the Rhine River.
4. Russia gets Poland, a divided country.
5. Holland gets Austrian Netherlands while Austria got Lombardy and Venetia.
6. Switzerland becomes independent and is guaranteed neutrality.
7. Sweden gets Norway from Denmark, while Russia in turn gets Finland and Sweden.
8. Britain maintains control of all colonies, and gets Cape of Good Hope, Malta, Ceylon, Mauritius and former French West Indian possessions.