Vienna Congress:

Content:-

1. Restructuring the European State System
2. Re-establishment of the pre-French Revolution dynasty
3. Protection of the interests of the victorious states

After Napoleon was deposed and exiled to the island of Elba, perhaps the most difficult and difficult task faced the victorious monarchs and diplomats of Europe. That task was the reconstruction of Europe. Because most of the countries of Europe suffered as a result of Napoleon's aggressive expansion policy. His downfall, of course, was a potential indicator of that reparation. The Treaty of Chaumont was important in the process of forming the Fourth Coalition against Napoleon. It was decided here that after defeating Napoleon, the signatory states, Russia, Prussia, Austria and England would remain united for at least 20 years to form and sustain the new state system, that is, the great powers took the commitment and responsibility of building a new Europe on the ruins of Napoleon's empire. Attached to this commitment were two other contractual obligations. The 'First Treaty of Paris' (May, 1814 AD) was signed after Napoleon was exiled to the island of Elba and the 'Second Treaty of Paris' (November, 1915 AD) was signed after the Battle of Waterloo. The Vienna Conference or Congress of Vienna began with the task of implementing these three principles.

The Conference of Vienna lasted from September 1814 to June 1815, with temporary breaks. The break was caused by Napoleon's return to France from the island of Elba and his seizure of power. However, the leaders of the states assembled in Vienna, forgetting their quarrels, quickly took up arms against Napoleon, and by a combined effort succeeded in banishing Napoleon to the island of Saint Helena and finally within a hundred days. Then again they gathered in Vienna and finished the work of reconstruction.

The Vienna Conference began in an atmosphere of pomp and solemnity. Every European country except Turkey participated. Many dignitaries and diplomats were present among them .

A few notable figures from the revolution are Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Emperor Francis I and Prime Minister Prince Metternich, England's regent Duke of Wye and Foreign Minister Castlereagh, King of Prussia Frederick William Hardenburg (Hardenburg), French representative Talleyrand and others. But the four victorious powers, Russia, Prussia, Austria, and England, were the true leaders of the conference. The role of Prince Metternich and France's Tellerand was particularly commendable. Like a magician. He is remembered in the history of politics for controlling diplomacy. Metternith was a brilliant and shrewd diplomat. He was proud of himself as "the winner of the winner". He could swim like a fish in the sparkling whrilpool of Vienna like a special fish that floats comfortably in the whirlpool. It is because of this wisdom that he is able to sit as the president of the conference. Talley, on the other hand, had a more complicated situation. He was the representative of defeated France, who had organized the conference to decide who was against France. His goal was to save France from this collective outrage. France also suffered under Napoleon's dictatorship. Today, after the fall of Napoleon and under the rule of the Bourbon dynasty, France should not be considered a war criminal, but should be given the same status as other countries. His words cannot be ignored by the European leaders. Among the victorious leaders, Tsar Alexander was second only to Metternich in the conference. The Moscow campaign failed. He was credited with destroying Napoleon's 'Grand Army' No. But this conflicting attraction to revolutionary liberalism and old-fashionedism left him in deep self-contradiction. He was, in Metternich's words, "a mad man to be humoured." Alexander took advantage of this vacillation and Metternich made him a follower of his decision.

According to Professor Hazen, "The congress of Vienna was one of the most impor diplomatic gatherings in the history of Europe, given the number, variety and importance of the issues presented before the Vienna conference." , by reason of number, vary gravity of the questions presented and settled."). The problems of the conference were multifaceted. Failed (1) the reconstruction of the new political system of Europe as Napoleon had formed it (2) the reconstruction of the new political system of Europe in which France had formed in the future (3) Ensured that France would not disturb the peace of Europe in the future (4) Signed alliances in the war against Napoleon, implemented various treaties (5) Determined the future of Poland, Saxony and Germany,(6) to determine the political future of the Rhine region, etc. Despite the united struggle against Napoleon, European countries were at odds over the choice of a new president. History of Modern Europe-Ketelby due to the difference in views and interests of the states.

Moral Progress: 

Their differences came up again and again in the conferences of 1815-1870. England and Russia aimed to expand beyond Europe. Austria and France, on the other hand, were mainly looking forward to expanding their respective powers within the European continent. Russia's greedy eyes were on the 'Grand Duchy of Warsaw'. With this part of Poland, Russia wanted to form a new Polish king under Ruszar. Prussia was eager to gain control of Saxony in exchange for part of Poland. Consensus was established between Russia and Prussia on this matter. But Austria was not willing to relinquish its rights over the Crown of Poland. England and Austria were alarmed by Russian reinforcements. These differences also raised the prospect of war between European nations at the start of the conference. In fact, buoyed by the news of this dissension, Napoleon returned from exile on the island of Elba and gained the courage to retake power. However, the European powers finally defeated Napoleon and imposed the Second Treaty of Paris on France. However, Telebrand's diplomatic ingenuity saved France from the ultimate humiliation. Talleyrand understood that the greatest danger to France was the rise of Russia and Prussia. So he was able to get Austria and Britain to sign a treaty with France (January, 1815 AD) which excited Austria and Britain. As a result, France was able to occupy the seat of prestige as one of the European powers in Vienna.

Proceedings of the Vienna Conference: At the time of meeting in Vienna, the European leaders spoke about the aims and ideals of this conference. He promised to implement the reconstruction of the European social system on the basis of justice and honesty, the revival of the ancient state system, the establishment of uninterrupted punishment, etc. In general, the leaders of Vienna are of three principles. Completed the reconstruction work on the basis. These are – (1) European Reconstruction and Compensation, (2) Legitimacy and (3) Balance of Power.

The countries fighting the war against Napoleon suffered in many ways. They are rewarded according to the compensation policy. Fragments are redistributed among different states according to their interests. (1) Russia gained most of Poland, Finland and Bessarabia in Turkey. This led to the expansion of the Russian Empire in Western Europe and increased the importance of Russia in European politics. (2) Belgium leaves Austria, Holland. Lombardy and Venetia gained in return. Besides, Tyrol, Salzburg etc. were acquired by Austria. Austria gets the presidency of the German Diet. (3) North of the Champni, Posen, Dern and Danzig join Prussia. Prussia also gained Western Pomerania and the territories on the left bank of the Rhine. This almost doubled the size of Prussia and strengthened the possibility of Prussian influence over Germany. (8) England played a major role in defeating Napoleon. England's colonial interests therefore assumed special importance in reparations. Malta, Mauritius, Heligoland, Tago Jeep, Sinhalese were ceded to England. British possessions were established in the Ionian Islands and some sub-regions of South America. In this way, England's colonial empire spread smoothly. (5) Norway from Denmark as punishment for siding with Napoleon Isolated and given to Sweden. As allies, Bavaria gained Beriduth, the Rhine Palatinate, and Unpack. Succession of dynasties in different states according to the principle of legitimacy

is done Louis XVIII of the Bourbons regained the throne of France. Bourbon rulers were also established in Spain and southern Italy. The Hapsburg dynasty of Austria was restored to its former glory. His Majesty the Pope regained his kingdom in Central Italy. However, opportunistic and independent policies were followed in the case of Italy and the states of Jama. Napoleon united the B states of Italy and brought them under one rule. Now it was broken again and Austria's supremacy was established over Italy. Victor Emmanuel gains Savoy, Piedmont and Genoa. The authority of Ferdinand of Bourbon was established in Sicily and Naples. Here Italy is once again reduced to a geographical definition. Germany was divided into 38 states (later increased by one to 39) and a 'loose confederation' was established. The president and vice-presidents of the Diet were Austria and Prussia respectively. Independence of the leaders of the United Nations in foreign affairs A is compressed.

The goal of the Equal Power Policy was to reorganize Europe in such a way that in the future no single country like France or a single individual like Napoleon could upset the European political status quo. For this purpose it was decided to keep the Allied troops stationed in the important fortresses of France for the next five years. 70 million francs damages were imposed on France. Countries bordering France were strengthened. For this reason, Holland was added to Luxembourg and Belgium. The Rhineland was given to Prussia. Genoa is with Sardinia. Switzerland formed a loose confederation and declared itself a perpetual "neutral country".

& Evaluation: Historians have expressed mixed opinions on the evaluation of the policies and activities announced at the Congress of Vienna. In the immediate judgment of the result it was 'a great deception and a betrayal.' Although the leaders spoke of high idealism like 'restructuring of social affairs, establishment of permanent peace on the basis of equal distribution of power' etc., they did not make any attempt to implement them. In fact, the Congress of Vienna was a conference of elites and statesmen who either disliked or disliked the ideals of nationalism and democracy. In the words of Professor Hazen: "The collective rulers reorganized Europe according to their will as their own possessions". "T rulers rearranged Europe according to their own desire, disposing of it were their own personal property. "). And in doing this they have consciously ignored the national sentiments of the people and remained indifferent to their wishes. Ketelby thinks that the directors of the Congress of Vienna rejected Yugadharma. In his words "The ignored the challenge of the French Revolution, he failed to realize the potential of the French Revolution era of change.

The Vienna Conference called for three principles to be followed. But not in practice Not fully followed. Sometimes one policy is followed by another speed: 1815-1870 policy is struck. As such the theory of fair rights was an important moral foundation of the convention. But due to giving more importance to the principle of balance of power, the theory of fair rights was violated in many cases. In countries like France, Rome, Sicily, etc., the just rights were applied, but in some cases, the leaders did not apply the just rights in the same situation. Napoleon abolished the Holy Roman Empire. This traditional empire was not re-established in Vienna. The republican governments of Genoa and Venice were not rehabilitated. The leaders of this context said, "Republic are out fashioned these days." That is, while the right of the monarchy was accepted, it was denied in the republic. They were also indifferent to the restoration of Poland. Historian Cartwell And Langned (Curtwell-Langned) called this policy the 'mean and hypocritical' behavior of the leaders of Vienna and wrote, "It was mean and hypocritical policy of the treaty makers not to extend the doctrine of legitimacy to Republics," the historian Hazen rightly said that, " "The doctrine of legitimacy appealed to for the restoration of dynasties were ignored in the case of republics”—Hazen.). Their aim was to protect and compensate the interests of the large states. Fair rights are not pursued as a universal principle. It was a tool of political expediency. Therefore, by the necessity of providing compensation to the states opposed to Napoleon, they violated the theory of "just right" ("The principal of legitimacy' was considerably compromised by the necessity of providing more or less arbitrary compensations."--Hayes) I

According to Professor Davies Thomson, "A network of bargains and negotiated compromises was a reflection of the self-interest of the great powers." ("Europe without there being any direct contact with France.")

For this reason he was attached to Holland, undermining the interests of Belgium. Interests of countries like Saxony, Poland etc. in Norway. Attempts to find a permanent solution to the German problem were made with Sweden. Abandonment was not in Norway, Finland, Pomerania, Vienna. In this case also the wishes of Austria and Prussia were fulfilled. Germany was placed under Austrian rule, forming a disorganized 'Confederation' of 38 (later 39) states in Germany at the will of the Meternith and South German states. Italy was also isolated and placed under a conservative monarchy in the interests of the Great Powers.

The Vienna decision was contrary to the transformation that the French Revolution had brought about in European thought. Viennese leaders rejected revolutionary democracy and nationalism. The sense of national unity felt by the people of Italy and Germany under the Napoleonic Empire was shattered by the Vienna system. The people who want freedom from the dictatorship are again handed over to the dictatorship. The national interests of Belgium, Poland, Finland etc. were also violated in Vienna. 

Neither Belgium nor Norway were ever independent states. Hence no fundamental change in their political position was brought about by the Vienna system. Only the lord-state had changed. If Belgium had not been annexed to Holland, it might have been attacked by France. The same applies to Germany. Before 1848 the idea of ​​national unity was purely 'air-dependent'. Historian Gordon Craig (Gordon Craig) said, "The directors of Vienna probably understood that giving freedom to the people of Italy or unifying Germany would only increase the chaos."

According to Bertrand Russell (B. Russel), "in terms of durability, the Vienna system is more successful than the Versailles system of 1919, because no previous decision of European states has lasted as long as Vienna." Thomson also admits that in 1815 the people of Europe earnestly desired punishment, and for at least the next four decades the Vienna System led the way. But the Vienna System signaled the future through the transfer and partition of several states. Strengthening Prussia paved the way for the unification of Germany under Prussian leadership within fifty years. Similarly, Vienna's decision to strengthen Piedmont created the possibility of Italian unification. The decision to end slavery is also indicative of the progressive and humane outlook of Vienna's leaders. Considering all the pros and cons of Vienna, historian Thomson rightly says, "On the whole, the Viennese system was a rational and statesmanlike decision" ("On the whole it (Vienna settlement) was a reasonable and statesman like arrangement.")