Introduction
Following the ousting and the abdication of Napoleon Bonaparte's, there was a great need for Europe to come with a strategy that would counter the impact of French revolution. To lay down a congressional meeting commenced in Vienna 1 October 1814. Initially, the meeting was aimed at restoring Europe earlier boundaries, which existed before the 1789 French revolution and the wars of napoleon that took precedence.
In the procession of leaders leading, the talks were the victors of the revolution Great Britain, who had sent a representative of King George III, Lord Castelergh since the king of England then was insane. Another victor was Prussia represented by King Fredrick William, and then there was Russia represented by Alexander 1, Austria represented by Prince Metternich, III, and France represented by Tallyrand.
In establishing the balance of power, the aim was to make sure that imperialism within Europe was controlled and prevented. By power Balancing, the congress members aimed at avoiding a repeat of the Napoleonic Empire. However, above all, through power balance, peace remained in Europe between the greatest of powers. Zamoyski, (2007) notes the aim of the congress was not just to go back to the old boundaries, but to resize Europe with the aim of balancing it off. One thing that was notable about the leaders none of them was interested with revolution or republicanism instead they were all conservatives with interest on peace alone.
Keeping with this Allport (2009), notes that the France loss meant that Austria, Prussia, and Russia managed to potion themselves more than 1/3 of the Saxony kingdom. Austria had annexed large parts of northern Italy and had gained Venice as part of its empire. On the other part, Russia annexed Poland parts, while Netherlands was born cut from parts of Austrian territory. Dupont (2003), asserts the congress of Vienna tried hard to stabilize the balance of power by setting rules that ensured peaceful Europe. Adding to this Dupont (2003), states that congress of Vienna was the first international meeting that tried to equalize power in Europe in what later was called Europe's' concert.
The second goal was to maintain the status quo, to stop and guarantee that there were no more political revolutions like French revolution and aim. To achieve success, it was vital to see to it that Russia, Austria, Prussia, and Britain did not fall back to fighting for territory. The restored French republic under Bourbon dynasty received an invitation to the congress of Vienna. An agreement formed to avoid war with the Prussian boundaries expanded westward to act as a barrier to the French power in their eastern border. Allport (2009), states the goal of the congress was to create a kind of a belt that would make sure that France could not march to the east. Following the agreement Netherlands kingdom was formed, which contained Belgium and Holland. However, later on Belgium separated from Holland leading to the collapse of the arrangement. The ability of the agreement to hold Europe together, consistently challenged by wars of the 19th century e.g. Franco- Prussian war, Austro Prussian war, and Crimean war.
It was important to restore legitimate rulers; however, this principle remained less clear than the others did. Reason being that this goal only got pursued when it fitted the interest of great powers. In France, the bourbons following the advice of Talleyrand got replaced a move that only suited greater powers. However, in Spain, the Bourbon they restored as an ally. Similarly, this was to repeat itself in Italy, where the princes and princesses of Hapsburg restoration occurred to keep the region in the grasp of Austrian authority. The reverse was however witnessed in Saxony, where Saxony was forced to give a percentage of the territory it sat on. The main reason behind Saxony giving its territory was to please Prussia. Zamoyski, (2007) asserts that it was clear that the powers in the Vienna congress were motivated by nationalistic ideology and legitimization was pursued only to gratify their desire to control.
It was apparent that the goal of reward and punishment was more of compensation aimed at appeasing all those states that had lost part of their territory. Choice reviews online, (n.d.) points out the annexed territory were important in ensuring that France remained constricted. An example of these seen in the case of Italy where Austria had much more influence when Belgium then owned by Austria become part of Netherlands. Prussia, on the other hand, gained plenty of influence when it received a large portion of the eastern block to stop France from expanding in that direction. The aim was to make central Europe more powerful to be able to stand up against the France. However, Zamoyski (2007).states that in some ceased it had nothing to do with France. Russia reward was the east it had the opportunity to keep Finland, which belonged to Napoleon. In addition to Finland Russia also had Poland for itself, on the other hand, Norway becomes part of Sweden as a compensation for the loss of Finland. All port (2009), states the decision to give Norway to Sweden purposed at punishing Denmark, which was an ally of Napoleon.
Conclusion
The congress of Vienna was able to discourage war for a long period between the greater powers of Europe. Another achievement by the congress of Vienna was they managed to balance power and effectively mute napoleons influence. Unfortunately, as it was later to be, they failed to recognize upcoming powers. These errors in decision-making were to result in a fracture in the 19th century that saw them return to war. Their failure in not recognizing nationalism and liberalism as upcoming forces saw the ruin of their vision at the very end. However, at that moment the congress of Vienna was helpful as it stopped a war that had seen Europe to its knees.
References
Allport, A. (2009). The Congress of Vienna. New York: Chelsea House.
Dupont, C. (2003). History and Coalitions: The Vienna Congress (1814?1815). International Negotiation. doi:10.1163/138234003769590703
(2009). Vienna, 1814: how the conquerors of Napoleon made love, war, and peace at the Congress of Vienna. Choice Reviews Online, 46(07), 46-4068-46-4068.
Zamoyski, A. (2007). Rites of peace: the fall of Napoleon & the Congress of Vienna. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.
