Treaty of Vienna Facts & Worksheets

• The man who dominated the Congress was Prince Klemens von Metternich, the Austrian foreign minister. He thought that Europe could only be stable if revolutionary ideas were not to disrupt the long-standing system of kings, emperors and powerful elites. He thought that liberalism, nationalism and republicanism were all dangerous ideas that needed to be kept in check.
• The main aims of the Congress were:
  • To restore stability: Old monarchies and dynasties were to be returned to their thrones, and political systems were to be placed back under traditional rule.
  • To redraw the map of Europe: Borders were altered to ensure that no state could dominate in the way France had under Napoleon.
  • To maintain a balance of power: Strong countries were placed around France as ‘buffer states’ to prevent any future aggression.
  • To resist revolutionary ideas: The leaders sought to suppress movements for democracy, independence or constitutional reform.
• Thus, the Congress wanted peace, but it also wanted to make sure peace was based on conservative principles.

Negotiations and Territorial Settlements under the Treaty of Vienna

• Although it was called a ‘Congress’, Vienna was not a single meeting but a series of discussions, private deals and compromises. Formal sessions were rare. Much of the real diplomacy took place behind closed doors or even at lavish balls and banquets. The Austrian capital became a centre of social activity, where politics and pleasure mixed freely. The most influential figures included:
  • Metternich (Austria) – sought to protect Austrian interests in Germany and Italy while defending the traditional monarchy.
  • Viscount Castlereagh and later the Duke of Wellington (Britain) – focused on preventing any single power from dominating Europe, particularly France or Russia.
  • Tsar Alexander I (Russia) – ambitious and idealistic, he wanted to expand Russian influence into Poland and proposed a ‘Holy Alliance’ of monarchs to defend Christianity and resist revolution.
  • Prince Hardenberg (Prussia) – aimed to enlarge Prussia, especially with territory from Saxony and along the River Rhine.
  • Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand (France) – though France had been defeated, Talleyrand argued that excluding it would upset the balance of power. Through skill and charm, he restored France’s status as a Great Power.
• Talleyrand’s role is particularly striking. Initially, it was expected that France would face unjust treatment; but, it strategically partnered with Britain and Austria to prevent Russia and Prussia from gaining too much influence. This action not only kept it from being ostracised, but also allowed it to become a key player in the negotiations.
• One of the most serious disputes, known as the Polish-Saxon Question, illustrates the tension between the powers. Russia wanted most of Poland, while Prussia demanded all of Saxony. Austria and Britain feared this would make Russia and Prussia far too strong. 
• Talleyrand seized the opportunity, signing a secret treaty with Austria and Britain in January 1815 that threatened war if Russia and Prussia pushed too far. In the end, a compromise was reached: Russia gained most of Poland, Prussia received only part of Saxony, and Austria’s position was safeguarded.
• Diplomacy at Vienna was not always noble. Some authorities were accused of accepting bribes or gifts to assist one party over another. The secretary of the Congress, Friedrich von Gentz, was rumoured to have accepted funds from both Britain and France. Despite these intrigues, agreements were obtained using a combination of negotiating, threats and persuasion.
• The treaty changed the political map of Europe just days before Napoleon’s astounding return to power and defeat at Waterloo in what is now Belgium (then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands). Key settlements included:
  • France: Reduced to its borders of 1792, losing all the territory it had gained during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. France was not dismembered but was contained.
  • Prussia: Rewarded with much of Saxony, Swedish Pomerania, Westphalia, and important lands in the Rhineland. These gains gave Prussia a stronger position in central Europe and along the French border.
  • Austria: Lost some of its old lands in the Low Countries but compensated with northern Italy (Lombardy and Venetia) and restored influence over Tuscany, Modena and Parma. Austria now had a firm grip on Italy.
  • Russia: Gained most of the Duchy of Warsaw, creating what became known as ‘Congress Poland’, a kingdom under Russian control. Russia also retained Finland, which had been taken from Sweden in 1809.