The Conclusion of the Congress of Vienna: June 9, 1815

The Congress of Vienna, which concluded on June 9, 1815, was a pivotal diplomatic conference that reshaped the political landscape of Europe following the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. This gathering of European powers aimed to restore stability and order after the upheaval caused by the Napoleonic Wars.

Background

The Congress of Vienna convened in September 1814, shortly after Napoleon’s first abdication and exile to Elba. The primary objective was to negotiate a long-term peace plan for Europe by addressing territorial disputes and establishing a balance of power that would prevent future conflicts. The main participants, known as the “Great Powers,” included:

• Austria, represented by Foreign Minister Klemens von Metternich
• Russia, represented by Tsar Alexander I
• Prussia, represented by King Frederick William III
• Great Britain, represented by Foreign Secretary Viscount Castlereagh and later by the Duke of Wellington
• France, represented by Foreign Minister Charles Maurice de Talleyrand

Key Decisions and Territorial Changes

The Congress of Vienna resulted in several significant territorial and political changes:

1. Restoration of Monarchies: The Congress sought to restore legitimate monarchies that had been overthrown during the Napoleonic era. This included the reinstatement of the Bourbon monarchy in France under Louis XVIII.

2. Redrawing of Borders: The map of Europe was redrawn to create a balance of power:

   • Austria gained control of Lombardy and Venetia in Italy, as well as territories in the Balkans.
   • Prussia acquired parts of Saxony, Westphalia, and the Rhineland.
   • Russia expanded its influence over Poland, creating the Kingdom of Poland under Russian control.
   • The Netherlands was united with the Southern Netherlands (modern-day Belgium) to form the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.

3. German Confederation: The Holy Roman Empire, dissolved by Napoleon in 1806, was replaced by the German Confederation, a loose association of 39 German states under Austrian leadership.

4. Neutrality of Switzerland: Switzerland’s neutrality was formally recognized, establishing it as a neutral state.

5. Slave Trade: The Congress condemned the slave trade, although it did not immediately abolish it.

Aftermath and Significance

The Congress of Vienna established a framework for European international relations that lasted for nearly a century, known as the “Concert of Europe.” This system aimed to maintain the balance of power and prevent major conflicts through diplomacy and collective decision-making.

While the Congress succeeded in preventing large-scale wars in Europe for several decades, it also sowed the seeds of future conflicts by ignoring nationalist and liberal movements. The redrawing of borders often disregarded ethnic and cultural identities, leading to tensions that would later contribute to the revolutions of 1848 and the eventual unification of Germany and Italy.

In conclusion, the Congress of Vienna was a landmark event in European history, setting the stage for a century of relative peace but also laying the groundwork for future upheavals. Its legacy is a testament to the complexities of diplomacy and the challenges of creating lasting peace in a diverse and dynamic continent.