The Congress of Vienna Chapter 7 Section 5

The Congress of Vienna Chapter 7 Section 5

Restoring Order & Peace • Government leaders in Europe wanted to bring peace and stability back to the continent

Congress of Vienna • A series of meetings held in Vienna • They were called to set up policies to achieve the goals of peace & stability • Scheduled for 4 weeks, they actually met for 8 months

Representatives • Representatives from the five “great powers” – Russia – Prussia – Austria – Great Britain – France

Prince Klemens von Metternich • Most influential of the representatives • Foreign Minister of Austria • 3 Goals for the Congress – Prevent future French aggression – Restore a balance of power – Restore Europe’s royal families to the thrones they had before Napoleon

Political Triumph • 1 st time European countries had cooperated to control political affairs • Fair settlements; no country had a grudge • Peace lasted for nearly 40 years

Monarchs Restored • Constitutional Monarchs – Britain – France • Absolute Monarchs – Russia – Prussia – Austria

Holy Alliance • Agreement between Russia, Austria & Prussia • Pledged to base their relations with other nations on Christian principles in order to combat the forces of revolution

Concert of Europe • Series of alliances devised by Metternich • Ensured that nations would help one another if wars broke out

Legacy • Diminished the size and power of France • Power of Britain & Prussia increased • Nationalism spread in Germany, Italy, Greece & other areas that congress had put under foreign control • Eventually feelings of nationalism would lead to new revolutions & new nations formed

Legacy • More European colonies began demanding their independence • Ideas about the basis of power & authority had forever changed • People saw democracy as the only was to ensure equality & justice for all • Social attitudes & assumptions changed