Did the successes of the Vienna settlement ou tweigh its failures?

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Alex Bartho

L6JS

Did the successes of the Vienna settlement outweigh its failures?

The congress of Vienna and its subsequent agreement marked a stabilisation of the balance of powers in Europe after the Napoleonic and Revolutionary Wars. It heralded the start of a century of Europe free from major conflict. Despite this, Historians disagree as to whether it was a success.  For much of the nineteenth century, the settlement attracted more criticism than praise. Von Gentz, Metternich’s principal advisor commented:

“ The congress resulted in nothing but the restorations which had already been effected by arms… quite arbitrary alterations in the possessions of the smaller states, but… no great measure for… the general good.”

Vienna led to the strengthening the position of the four greatest powers, Austria, Prussia, Russia and Britain. By reinforcing and merging many of the smaller stares, it created a stable situation in Europe whereby no one power could expand excessively. The ‘Cordon Sanitaire’ around France assayed public fears and ensured France could not rise again, while the strengthening of Central Europe prevented Russia from securing too strong a position. Although the Settlement paid little heed to strong Nationalistic and Liberalistic feelings at the time, in the long run, the measures effected by it prevented further conflicts in Europe that having many more smaller powers would have surely resulted in. To judge a settlement, one has to define its aims. It is clear that the (official) aims of the Settlement of Vienna were to prevent French expansion, and to balance power within Europe to ensure lasting peace. It is on these points that success or failure should be judged.

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France was the main issue of the Congress. Ensuring France was unable to reinvade Europe was the key issue from which all the others branched. Despite losing the war, France was allowed to take part in the settlement negotiations. This meant that, unlike in Versailles a century later, the losing side would have less reason to feel wronged. The set-up of a ‘Cordon Sanitaire’ around France by reinforcing the smaller surrounding countries guaranteed a barrier from French territorialism. The fact that, despite much unrest internally, France never did spill outside of its borders after the settlement is a testament ...

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