The Congress of Vienna

1
After the defeat of Napoleon, European ministers
and rulers met at the Congress of Vienna to
redraw the boundaries of Europe.
2
The great powers Of Europe-Great Britain,
Prussia, Russia, and Austria dominated
the Congress (1814-1815). They restored
many former rulers and borders.
3

• These changes helped to bring Europe back in some
  measure to the way it had been before the French
  Revolution.
• The European Old Order was restored.

4
Prince Metternich of Austria was a leader of the
Congress of Vienna.
5

• Prince Metternich sought to establish a balance
  of power.
• This term referred to a system in which the chief
  powers of Europe were equal in military strength,
  so that no single power could dominate.

6
To further prevent future French domination or
the spread of democratic revolutions in Europe,
the four major powers also formed a new alliance.
7

• The French Revolution ignited the spirit of
  nationalism in Europe by spreading the view that
  government should be based on the will of the
  people.

8
At the same time, the statesmen at the Congress
of Vienna were intent on ignoring or crushing
nationalist feelings.
9
The thirty years following the Congress of Vienna
witnessed a series of unsuccessful revolutions in
Italy, Germany, and Poland.
10
However, both Greece and Belgium achieved
independence by 1830.
11
French citizens established a constitutional mon
archy that same year.
12
In 1848, revolutionary fever gripped Europe. The
French overthrew their constitutional monarchy
and France became a republic. However, other
revolutions were put down.
13
The old order could not be restored forever.