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The Congress of Vienna

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

The Congress of Vienna

Prince Metternich

Balance of Power

Nationalism

Nationality

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After the defeat of Napoleon, Europeanministers and rulers met at the Congress ofVienna to redraw the boundaries of Europe.

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The great powersOf Europe-GreatBritain, Prussia,

Russia, and Austriadominated the

Congress (1814-1815).

They restored manyformer rulers and

borders.

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A Return to the Past

• These changes helped to bring Europe back in some measure to the way it had been before the French Revolution.

• In some places, like Belgium and Poland, this meant ignoring popular feelings.

• The European “Old Order” was restored.

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Prince Metternich of Austria was a leaderof the Congress of Vienna.

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Balance of Power

• Prince Metternich sought to establish a balance of power.

• Introduced in the 18th century, this term referred to a system in which the chief powers of Europe were roughly equal in military strength, so that no single power like France could dominate the others.

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To further preventfuture French

dominationor the spreadof democratic

revolutions in Europe, the four major powers

also formed a newalliance.

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Nationalism

• Nationalism is the belief that each nationality (ethnic group) is entitled to its own government.

• 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.

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At the same time, the statesmen at the Congress of Vienna were intent on ignoring

or crushing nationalist feelings.

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The thirty years following the Congress ofVienna witnessed a series of unsuccessfulrevolutions in Italy, Germany, and Poland.

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However, both Greece and Belgiumachieved independence by 1830.

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French citizens established a constitutional

monarchy that same year.

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In 1848, revolutionary fever gripped Europe.The French overthrew their constitutionalmonarchy and France became a republic.However, other revolutions were put down.

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Questions for Reflection:

• What were the goals of the Congress of Vienna?

• Why did Prince Metternich believe that a “balance of power” would prevent future problems?

• Define nationalism and nationality.• What happened in 1848?• Was the “Old Order” restored? Explain

your answer.