"The objective of the Congress was to provide a long-term peace plan for Europe by settling critical issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars through negotiation."
A look at the diplomatic relations between European powers during the Napoleonic era, including alliances, treaties, and negotiations.
Napoleonic Wars: This topic covers the series of conflicts fought between France and various European powers from 1803 to 1815, and how they influenced diplomacy during this era.
Congress of Vienna: This topic covers the international conference held in 1815 to determine the future of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars, and the diplomatic negotiations that took place during the event.
French Empire: This topic covers the political and social structure of France during the Napoleonic era, including the role of Napoleon himself as an emperor and military leader.
Coalition Warfare: This topic covers the alliances and agreements formed between various European powers during the Napoleonic Wars, and how these coalitions influenced diplomacy and strategy.
Colonial Diplomacy: This topic covers the diplomatic relations and negotiations between European empires and their colonies during the Napoleonic era, including issues of trade, sovereignty, and territorial expansion.
Balance of Power: This topic covers the concept of maintaining a balance of power among European states, and how this influenced diplomatic relations during the Napoleonic era.
Guerrilla Warfare: This topic covers the unconventional tactics and strategies used by irregular forces during the Napoleonic Wars, and how they influenced the diplomatic and political landscape of the time.
Military Diplomacy: This topic covers the role of military leaders and commanders in diplomatic negotiations during the Napoleonic era, such as Napoleon and his marshals.
Peace Treaties: This topic covers the various peace treaties signed between European powers during the Napoleonic Wars, and the terms and conditions that were agreed upon.
Crisis Diplomacy: This topic covers the diplomatic negotiations and actions taken during times of crisis, such as the invasion of Russia by Napoleon in 1812.
Propaganda: This topic covers the use of propaganda by European powers during the Napoleonic Wars, and how it was used to influence public opinion and manipulate international relations.
Continental System: This topic covers Napoleon's economic policy of the Continental System, and how it impacted diplomatic relations and trade between European powers.
Social and Political Revolutions: This topic covers the social and political upheavals that took place in Europe during the Napoleonic era, including the French Revolution and subsequent changes in governance.
Intelligence and Espionage: This topic covers the use of intelligence and espionage by European powers during the Napoleonic Wars, and how it impacted diplomatic negotiations and military strategy.
Cultural Diplomacy: This topic covers the use of cultural exchanges and diplomacy by European powers during the Napoleonic era, such as the exchange of art and literature between France and other European countries.
Public Diplomacy: This type of diplomacy involves the use of public communication channels to influence foreign policy decisions, promote national interests and build global image.
Economic Diplomacy: The use of diplomatic means to promote and protect a country's economic interests. This may involve trade negotiations, investment treaties, and promoting the export of goods and services.
Cultural Diplomacy: The use of cultural programs and activities to promote understanding and build relationships between countries. This may involve exchanges of artists, musicians, and other cultural figures, as well as sponsoring festivals, exhibitions, and other events.
Military Diplomacy: The use of military means to influence foreign policy decisions or to build alliances. This may involve military aid and the provision of weapons or training, as well as joint military exercises and peacekeeping missions.
Intelligence Diplomacy: The use of intelligence gathering and analysis to promote national security interests and inform foreign policy decisions.
Humanitarian Diplomacy: The use of diplomatic means to address human rights violations and promote humanitarian relief efforts. This may involve negotiating access for aid workers, providing assistance to refugees, and working to prevent or resolve conflicts.
Environmental Diplomacy: The use of diplomatic means to address issues of global environmental concern, such as climate change, resource depletion, and pollution. This may involve building international agreements and partnerships to address these problems, as well as promoting sustainable development practices.
Legal Diplomacy: Use of diplomatic and legal means to resolve disputes, negotiate agreements, and promote justice.
Technical Diplomacy: Technical cooperation or technical assistance to promote technical development or to create a better interconnection between countries.
Consular Diplomacy: The protection of the interests of a country's citizens or companies abroad. This could involve providing legal advice or assistance, facilitating visa applications, and responding to emergency or crisis situations.
"Participants were representatives of all European powers and other stakeholders, chaired by Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich."
"Held in Vienna from September 1814 to June 1815."
"The goal was not simply to restore old boundaries, but to resize the main powers so they could balance each other and remain at peace, being at the same time shepherds for the smaller powers."
"Conservative leaders like von Metternich also sought to restrain or eliminate republican, liberal, and revolutionary movements which...upended the constitutional order of the European ancien régime, and which continued to threaten it."
"In the settlement the parties did reach, France had to give up all its recent conquests, while the other three main powers made major territorial gains."
"Prussia added territory from smaller states: Swedish Pomerania, most of the Kingdom of Saxony, and the western part of the former Duchy of Warsaw."
"Austria gained much of northern Italy."
"Russia added the central and eastern part of the Duchy of Warsaw."
"All agreed upon ratifying the new Kingdom of the Netherlands, which had been created just months before from formerly Austrian territory."
"The immediate background was Napoleonic France's defeat and surrender in May 1814, which brought an end to 23 years of nearly continuous war."
"Remarkably, negotiations continued unaffected despite the outbreak of fighting triggered by Napoleon's return from exile and resumption of power in France during the Hundred Days of March to July 1815."
"The Congress's agreement was signed nine days before Napoleon's final defeat at Waterloo on 18 June 1815."
"Some historians have criticised the outcomes of the Congress for causing the subsequent suppression of national, democratic, and liberal movements."
"Others have praised the Congress for protecting Europe from large widespread wars for almost a century."
"To resize the main powers so they could balance each other and remain at peace."
"France, Britain, Prussia, Austria, and Russia."
"Conservative leaders like Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich."
"The critical issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars."
"[Revolutionary movements] upended the constitutional order of the European ancien régime, and...continued to threaten it."