Analyze the decisions taken by the conservatives at the Congress of Vienna in the year 1815.
Answer by Student
The Congress of Vienna was a meeting of the representatives of the four great European powers – Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria – who had collectively defeated Napoleon. The Congress was hosted by the Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich. The result was the Treaty of Vienna of 1815.
The main outcomes of the Congress of Vienna were:
-
It aimed to
undo the changes
that had come about in Europe during the Napoleonic wars and
restore the monarchies
that had been overthrown by Napoleon, and create a new
conservative order
in Europe.
It restored the
Bourbon dynasty
in France, which had been deposed during the French Revolution.
-
It made France
lose the territories
it had annexed under Napoleon.
-
It set up a series of
states
on the boundaries of France to prevent it from expanding in the future. For example, the kingdom of the Netherlands, which included Belgium, was set up in the north.
-
It gave some territories to other states. For example, Genoa was added to Piedmont in the south. Prussia was given territories on its western frontiers. Austria was given control of northern Italy.
- It left the German confederation of 39 states set up by Napoleon untouched. The confederation consisted of 39 states that had varying sizes, populations, and resources. Some of them were kingdoms, some were duchies, and some were free cities. In the east, Russia was given part of Poland while Prussia was given a portion of Saxony.
Thus, conservative regimes set up in 1815 were autocratic . They did not tolerate criticism and dissent. They curbed activities that questioned the legitimacy of autocratic governments.
Detailed Answer by Teachoo
The Congress of Vienna was a meeting of the representatives of the four great European powers – Britain, Russia, Prussia, and Austria – who had collectively defeated Napoleon. The Congress was hosted by the Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich. The result was the Treaty of Vienna of 1815.
The main outcomes of the Congress of Vienna were:
- It aimed to undo the changes that had come about in Europe during the Napoleonic wars and to restore the monarchies that had been overthrown by Napoleon, and create a new conservative order in Europe.
-
The Congress wanted to undo the changes that had come about in Europe during the Napoleonic wars and the French Revolution. It wanted to restore the old order of Europe that had existed before 1789.
- The Congress restored the Bourbon dynasty in France, which had been deposed during the French Revolution. Louis XVIII became the king of France and accepted a constitutional charter that limited his powers.
- It made France lose the territories it had annexed under Napoleon and created a balance of power among the major European states.
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The Congress wanted to prevent any single state from becoming too powerful or aggressive in Europe. It wanted to maintain a balance of power among the major European states.
-
The Congress reduced the size and influence of France by taking away its territories on- The Congress reduced the size and influence of France by taking away its territories on the east bank of the Rhine, in Italy, and in Belgium. It also imposed a heavy war indemnity on France and stationed allied troops on its soil for five years.
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The Congress redistributed the territories that had been annexed by France among its rivals. It gave Prussia parts of Saxony, Westphalia, and Rhineland. It gave Austria parts of Lombardy, Venetia, and Illyria. It gave Russia parts of Poland and Finland. It gave Britain some colonies in Africa, Asia, and America.
- It set up a series of states on the boundaries of France to prevent it from expanding in the future.
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The Congress wanted to create a ring of strong states around France that would act as a buffer against any future French aggression. It wanted to secure peace and stability in Europe.
- The Congress created a new kingdom of Netherlands by uniting Holland and Belgium. This kingdom was ruled by William I of Orange who was loyal to Britain. It controlled the mouth of the Rhine River and the trade routes to Germany.
- It left the German confederation of 39 states set up by Napoleon untouched. In the east, Russia was given part of Poland while Prussia was given a portion of Saxony.
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The Congress did not change the German confederation that had been set up by Napoleon in 1806. The confederation consisted of 39 states that had varying sizes, populations, and resources. Some of them were kingdoms, some were duchies, and some were free cities.
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The Congress did not address the issue of German nationalism that had emerged during the Napoleonic wars. Many Germans wanted to unite their states into a single nation-state with a common identity, culture, and language.
- The Congress divided Poland between Russia and Prussia. Russia got most of Poland and created a semi-autonomous kingdom under its control. Prussia got a small part of Poland and incorporated it into its territory.
