Congress of Vienna

What will become of France & Europe?

The French EmpireHow do you build a lasting peace?

Congress of Vienna 1815

• Leaders of Austria, Prussia, Russia & Great Britain

• Europe wanted long lasting peace– feared more war (French aggression)– Goal: to create a balance of power in Europe

• Congress of Vienna was scheduled to last 4-weeks– it lasted 8 months!

Balance of Power

EuropeanBalance of Power

• Wanted France weaker, not destroyed– Kept original borders from 1790

Goal was to build stronger states near France• German Confederation formed

– out of 39 states

• Switzerland becomes independent

• Other states are strengthened– Netherlands, Italy

Balance of Power

The New “Balanced” Europe

The Final Outcome• Louis XVIII rules France as constitutional monarch

– Brother of Louis XVI– Royal rulers return in Spain & Italy

• Relative Peace: The 5-powers did not wage war on each other until 1853– Some were at peace until World War I (1914)

• Democratic ideas continued to be debated in Europe– Citizens kept the majority of their rights– Old patterns of taxation & justice continued to be challenged– French Revolution changed the “business as usual” attitude of Europe

• Nationalism increased in Europe– Led to rise of Italy & Germany as Nation States– Ideology became increasingly important

French Revolution Success?Impact of Revolution

Test Review Sheet

• Unit Test Friday– Multiple Choice & 1 Short Answer