How to balance power and restore order after Napoleon?

The Congress of Vienna, 1814-1815

September 1812 – suffers major defeat in Russia1813 – constant pressure put on Napoleon and

Imperial Army by Austria, Russia, Britain, Prussia and SpainSpain and GB defeat Napoleon on Iberian Peninsula

prior to 1813Coalition armies defeat Napoleon in

Leipzig (Germany) Oct. 1813 – Battle of NationsMarch 1814 – allied forces march in Paris

Napoleon abdicatesNapoleon exiled to island of Elba in Mediterranean

Treaty of Chaurmont – restored Bourbon monarchy and returned France to 1792 borders!!

Where’s Napoleon?

Quadruple Alliance = The Big Four

Holy Alliance? Why didn’t it work?And France?: Talleyrand! (Quintuple Alliance)

Wants France to remain a “player” in the European balance of power game

Concert of Europe

Who? What do they want?Austria: Prince von Metternich

weaker Prussia and Russia; northern Italy

Prussia: Hardenburg Saxony and Rhineland; weaker Austria

Russia: Tsar Alexander I PolandEngland: Castlereagh balance of power on

continent; weak France

Escape from Elba and march across Europe/FranceMarch 1, 1815 – Napoleon arrives in Paris

Builds army from loyal supportersPromises liberal constitution and peace (no more

war)Duke of Wellington (GB) and Field Marshal von

Blücher (Prussia)Take on Napoleonic forces at WaterlooUse Napoleon’s tactics (esp. divide and conquer)

against himNapoleon no longer as decisive as he used to be

June 18, 1815 - Allies defeat Napoleon at Waterloo, Belgium

Napoleon Returns! (for 100 days)

Restored old French boundaries (1792)After Waterloo: French pay indemnity +

support occupation armyCongress Compromise:

Prussia used as “sentinel on the Rhine” vs. France

New Kingdom of Netherlands: Belgium+Holland = buffer zone btw. France and Prussia

Northern Italy under Austria as buffer vs. France

Why?New form of diplomacy = attempt to KEEP

THE PEACETreaties NOW made between NATIONS not IND.

RULERS

Geographical Changes