Congress of Vienna

     In class we discussed the Congress of Vienna and what people in power should do when their power is threatened. We also talked about Klemens Von Metternich and his conservative mind set when dealing with Napoleon as well as France. He feels as though Europe should go back the the original boarders before the French Revolution, therefore less conflict irrupts.

     A reaction of European powers when they defeated the threat of Napoleon was balance of powers. This reversed the changes of Napoleon's conquest and maintained a balance of power between Russia, Prussia, Austria, Britain, and France. Since The other countries didn't want to be taken over by French rule again, they gave France back their initial land. Instead of viewing France the country as the enemy, solely Napoleon was. The balance of power was initiated by Czar Alexander of Russia and supported monarch rule. If anyone was to go against this, it was not only against the law but against god, since they believed the monarchs in power were divine.

     Yes, I do believe that the powerful people at the Congress of Vienna made the right choice. Since there is a balance, or split of power, the countries are able to equally rule, and comotion over Napoleon will settle. The representatives were able to focus on the problems caused by the French revolution and attempt to resolve them without holding a grudge. This is shown because the other countries didn't punish France itself, but only forced them to give stolen artwork back to their allies.

(picture taken from class notes)