Congress of Vienna Chapter 7-5

Goals and Objectives:

• Upon completion students should:1. Explain the purpose of the Congress of Vienna2. Identify key persons involved in the Congress of

Vienna3. Summarize the goals of the Congress of Vienna4. Describe the accomplishments of the Congress of

Vienna

Europe moves on after Napoleon

• After exiling Napoleon, European leaders at the Congress of Vienna tried to restore order and reestablish peace

• They sought to prevent further revolution against monarchies

Meeting of Nations

• Congress of Vienna – series of meeting that reshape Europe

• Klemens von Metternich – foreign minister of Austria, the most influential person at the Congress

• Balance of Power – a chief Metternich goal, with no one country a threat.

• A balance of power would ensure that no one nation could dominate Europe.

Containment of France

• The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed• Switzerland was made independent

Austria and Italy

• Austria dominated the new German Confederation of 39 German states

• The Kingdom of Sardinia was strengthened after it added Genoa

France survives restructuring

• French power was dramatically weakened but it was left intact in order to maintain a balance of power.

Legitimacy

• Legitimacy – monarchs deposed by Napoleon are returned to thrones

• Leaders hoped a new changes would restore order through Europe and prevent revolution

The outcome of the Congress of Vienna

• Congress of Vienna succeeded in uniting European powers

• Deals are worked out so more war does not break out, pledges are made to protect fellow monarchies from revolt.

• European nations agree to preserve peace and a peaceful time of 40 years follows

Conservative Europe

• Holy Alliance – Russia, Prussia, Austria pledge to fight revolution

• Concert of Europe – European nations pledge to to help fight revolutions

• Conservative governments ruled across Europe, but new ideas had impact (nationalism-democracy)

Latin American Revolutions

• Napoleon’s replacing of Spanish King sets off rebellions in Spanish America (Saint Domingue)• Many former Colonies of Spain and

Portugal gained independence (Latin America and South America)

Legacy of the Congress

• Britain, Prussia gained power.• Nationalism spread and led to

revolutions.• Democracy grew