Austria had a dominated position in Europe during the period of Metternich. She was conservative, autocratic and repressive policy was used. She also wanted to maintain the status quo and peace. She used repressive policy, which She would stop the spread of revolutionary ideas. She would maintain the Vienna Settlement, as it gave Austria a dominate position in Europe and many privileges were given to Austria by it, such as Lombardy and Venetia was given to Austria as compensation for the lost of Belgium. Also the Vienna Settlement was aimed at maintaining peace which was what Austria wanted too. She would used the policy if intervention, in order to stop the spread of revolutionary ideas.
Russia was a conservative and autocratic power. She wanted a warm seaport most, therefore, policy of expansion was practiced. She has interested in the Mediterranean Region where the Ottoman Empire was in declined. She has received Poland as reward in helping the defeated of Napoleon. Her ambition was being checked by Britain and Austria, as they saw Russia as a threat to European peace.
France was a liberal country, and wanted recovery after the Vienna settlement. By the Concert of Europe, she was being treated leniently. But was isolated by the Principle of Encirclement, therefore She would tried to establish friendship with Britain, who was ideologically similar to Her.
Prussia was at the side of Russia and Austria and was conservative and autocratic also. She wanted expansion and have interested in Saxony. But she was weak and small, therefore she would not acted alone without the companion of other powers.
There were obviously basic ideology differences among countries. These differences led to many conflicts, therefore split the Powers into two different camps and at last led to the downfall of Concert of Europe.
In 1818, they have the Treaty of Aix-La-Chapelle. It was to discuss about the settlement of France and whether they should intervene the conflicts of Spanish American Colonies. Britain who favored policy of non-intervention did not support the idea of intervention, whereas, Austria, Russia and Prussia who were the conservative powers supported it. Also, Russia has suggested to set up an international army and regular meetings to maintain and enforce the treaty terms, but Britain rejected it because She would not give any chance for Russia to gain power and upheld the policy of isolation. Their self interest have overshadowed the aim in keeping peace. Their ideological difference were then magnified by this incident.
In 1820, there was the Treaty of Troppau. Austria has introduced the policy of Troppau which was to justified the policy of intervention and was signed by Austria, Russia and Prussia. Britain objected it because she thought they should not intervene in countries internal problems. At last, Castlereagh declared a State paper saying that England was committed only to preventing the return of Napoleon or his dynasty to France, and to remain the territorial arrangement of Vienna by armed force for 20 years. The Congress had split the powers into 2 groups, the liberal power and the conservative powers.
Alexander I has introduced the Holy Alliance, which was based on Christian ideals of Justice and Peace. In 1815 Russia, Austria and Prussia signed the Alliance. It was known as a force of conservatism. Britain was a liberal country and carried out the isolation policy, therefore, She hasn’t joint it. Castlereagh thought that it was a piece of sublime mysticism and nonsense. Without Britain support, this Alliance definitely became an alliance among the reactionary Powers and split the European Powers into 2 camps.
Secondly, there was the Quadruple Alliance in 1815, which Britain, Russia, Prussia and Austria were the members. It was signed in order to maintain the status quo defined by the Vienna Settlement and hold periodic meetings to solve problems menacing peace in Europe.
