Essay: The Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna, an international peace conference, was the direct reaction to distress brought on by the Napoleon wars. This congress was made up of the most prominent figures that held leadership within the European nations. Attendees were Kelemons von Metternich representing Austria, Viscount Castlereagh representing Britain but later resulting in replacement by duke of Wellington, Fredrick William III representing Prussia, and Tsar Alexander I represented Russia through his own diplomacy.
The purpose of the Four Great Powers was ultimately to resolve issues by conference and settlement. The great powers hoped that the Concert of Europe would result in the protection of the balance of power and of the conservative order established at the Congress of Vienna. The purpose of the Congress was to aid in unification, in order to keep harmony within Europe. It applied the principal of legitimacy, which in sum means to reestablish the old monarchies and the “four” made it their duty to be the decision makers for what would take for all future oppressed territories. Their decision would then be shared with France and Spain once the four came to an agreement.
The Congress of Vienna wanted a conventional government aka a conservative régime. The Congress of Vienna also wanted to limit France’s control by instituting unyielding difficulties around the borders of France. This resulted in the foundation of their philosophy which was always having another route instead of resulting in disagreement. With an exception of course. That exception was when a rebellion occurred in a country versus a monarch. The solution to the exception would be to have the Congress of Vienna work together and support the monarch all while helping to bring restoration to the throne. All in all, The Congress was effective and successful. This resolution was the most all-encompassing treaty that Europe has stood by. It achieved peace for almost forty years with little change.
The main leader of the Congress was Klemens von Metternich, an Austrian prince. Metternich was responsible for presenting all the philosophies of the conservative effort. Conservatism in the first half of the nineteenth century had a few chief ideas associated with its ideology. Conservatism ideology was made up of harsh compliance to political authority, having an organized religion, animosity for fighting and rebellion, and most importantly no liberalism as well as no republic régime. These philosophies were exercised within the conservative order within Europe. Conservatives, monarchs, and the Congress of Vienna mostly abided by this way of ruling. The leader of the Congress, Metternich, endorsed the ideas of the balance of power, was compliant with interventions, and wanted to cease the ruling of the liberalist and nationalist movement. However, conservative ideology transformed over time as more counties begin to dismiss monarchies that were in favor of representative government, with an exception being radical countries.
Liberalism ideologies mirror the characteristics of the economics of the term lassiez-faire. This resulted in political liberalism; life, liberty, equality, individual rights, etc., and a republic authority. Liberalists sought a republic with the goal of a representative government. This meant that the government would not be allowed to affect the economics and the authorities would have restricted power. The United States and Britain were two examples of liberal countries in the 19th century. In contrast, Conservatism was the ideology of keeping the traditional society, obedience to political authorities, and the resistance of sudden or abrupt changes. Conservative counties in the 19th century included France, Austria, Spain, German Confederation, Prussia, and Russia. The major powers dealt with liberal and nationalistic uprising in various parts of the continent during the 19th century by using the principal of intervention which Metternich best lead by example. For example, there were revolts in Italy and Spain, but Concert of Europe troops stepped in to infatuate and put a stop to the rebellion. In both circumstances, the concert statesmen reestablished the monarch.