Europe in 1812 The Congress of Vienna September

Europe in 1812

The Congress of Vienna (September 1, 1814 – June 9, 1815)

Main Objectives e It’s job was to undo everything that Napoleon had done: V Reduce France to its old boundaries frontiers were pushed back to 1790 V Restore as many of the old monarchies as possible that had lost their thrones during the Napoleonic era. e Supported the resolution: There is always an alternative to conflict.

Key Players at Vienna Foreign Minister, Viscount Castlereagh (Br. ) Tsar Alexander I (Rus. ) The “Host” Prince Klemens von Metternich (Aus. ) King Frederick William III (Prus. ) Foreign Minister, Charles Maurice de Tallyrand (Fr. )

Key Principles Established at Vienna V Balance of Power V Legitimacy V Communication: “Concert of Europe “ V Conservatism V Compensation V France would have to pay an indemnity of 700, 000 francs. V Punishment V Coalition forces would occupy France for 3 -5 years.

Changes Made at Vienna (1) V France was deprived of all territory conquered by Napoleon V Russia was given most of Duchy of Warsaw V Prussia was given half of Saxony, parts of Poland, and other German territories. V A Germanic Confederation of 30+ states created from the previous 300, under Austrian rule. V Austria was given back territory it had lost recently, plus more in Germany and Italy. V The House of Orange was given the Dutch Republic and the Austrian Netherlands to rule.

The Germanic Confederation, 1815

Changes Made at Vienna (2) V V V V V Norway and Sweden were joined Neutrality of Switzerland guaranteed Hanover enlarged and made a kingdom. Britain was given Cape Colony, South Africa, and various other colonies in Africa and Asia. Sardinia given Piedmont, Nice, Savoy, and Genoa. Bourbon Ferdinand I restored in the Two Sicilies Duchy of Parma was given to Marie Louise. Slave trade condemned (at British urging) Freedom of navigation guaranteed for many rivers (trade)

Europe After the Congress of Vienna

Before / After the Congress of Vienna

Analysis • “Gentlemen's Agreement" - verbal, no constitution • Conservative if not Reactionary – Common goal: prevent another revolution – Liberties and rights of American and French Revolutions de-emphasized – “The Burkean Rev” - Edmund Burke: Chief job of the state is to guarantee the passage of property from one generation to another. Political changes must be gradual so as not to disrupt the passage of property from one generation to another. Ev / Rev – Big 4 as Policemen against Rev

British caricaturist and social critic George Cruikshank drew this nightmarish image of "Social Reform" menacing the rich and powerful in 1819 to satirize conservative fears of change. "I'm coming! I shall have you!" the monster cries. "And though I'm at your heels now, I'll be at your heads presently. "

Analysis • The 2 great 19 th Century European Movements - liberalism and nationalism - halted, temporarily. – Not crushed : Italy under Garibaldi and Cavour, Prussia under Bismarck • Britain appeared to acquire minimal advantages in the settlement, given that she had spent £ 600 million on the wars. She got no land in Europe, but did gain colonial strength which helped her trade and commerce. Britain became THE European colonial power • Austria won undue influence

Analysis • Communication – 1815 Congress of Vienna – 1818 Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle – 1820 Congress of Troppau – 1821 Congress of Laibach – 1822 Congress of Verona… – League of Nations → UN • Prevented widespread European war for nearly 100 years (1815– 1914)