There was no general war (i.e. one involving all the great powers at the same time) in Europe between 1815 and 1914. Why?

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There was no general war (i.e. one involving all the great powers at the same time) in Europe between 1815 and 1914. Why?

For the hundred years from 1815 to 1914, Europe was, for the most part, peaceful. This is in marked contrast to the years immediately preceding, and after this period, when all the major states in Europe were embroiled in long, widespread conflict against each other. There are many possible reasons for this protracted period of peace, and indeed how the stability broke and World War One began. The Vienna Settlement, that followed the end of the Napoleonic Wars is generally regarded as one of the most important factors in maintaining peace, but there were quite a few other factors, maybe less significant on there own, but when pieced together all helped to ensure a century of relative peace throughout Europe. These factors included the continuity of leadership throughout the century, the overseas and imperial aims of the European countries and the balance of power that was sustained throughout.

The Congress of Vienna was an attempt to ensure that one country, in this case France, could never again wage war on Europe as she has done until her defeat in 1815. After having waged  war on a massive scale against Britain, Spain, Russia, Austria, and the Prussians, France was defeated by the victorious powers. However, rather than seek to completely destroy France, as was done t Germany at Versailles, the big four at the Congress of Vienna, Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia chose instead to maintain France in her status as a “great” power.1  Although still fearful of what a revived France could do, by maintaining the status quo, they hoped to create a balance of power across Europe, making it impossible for one country to be strong enough to over-run another. In maintaining France’s status, it would be easier to keep her in check, and restrict her diplomatically. To do this, the treaty signed in Vienna did not only deal with France. Disputed territories such as Poland, and areas of Italy and Austria and the German states were also dealt with, ending long standing and possibly dangerous quarrels, mostly to the satisfaction of those involved. Trades were made for land and money. France even received some overseas colonies from Britain as part of the return to the 1792 borders.2  France was punished moderately for the war, being occupied for only a short time and being made to pay only a small indemnity. Douglas Dakin suggests that Metternich, the Austrian, and Castlereagh, the British representative justified their leniency on the grounds that “a moderate peace best served the interests of a European balance of power.”3  The results of the Congress itself, having successfully dealt with France, and re-drawing many of the borders across Europe without further conflict showed those involved that they could settle disputes at the conference table, and this idea of diplomatic engagement, as opposed to military intervention would continue throughout the century, and this too contributed to a peaceful environment.4 The Congress of Vienna also served to emphasise what has come to be known as the “great power system”5 This meant that it was effectively the great powers in Europe, in order, who, in consultation with each other made any major decisions that affected Europe. The order was generally accepted as Britain, Russia, Austria, Germany and France. The Ottoman Empire was also given a small voice through this system. Although Britain and France did emerge from the Napoleonic wars strongest, they were not sufficiently strong alone to threaten the balance of power. Within this framework, the smaller, lesser states, such as Spain, Italy, and the Scandinavian states would generally comply with the wishes of the “great” powers. This “ascendancy”6 was useful in settling small disputes that had the potential to become a war, and did so on a few occasions throughout the century. Unfortunately it was not able to do so in 1914. When the Congress finished in 1815, Castlereagh doubted whether it would last, but it did, and it was the single most significant factor in preventing major wars of conquest amongst the European powers.

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The domestic situations within the major powers in Europe is also linked closely to the protracted period of international peace. The political systems in Britain and Russia remained the same throughout the period, Britain with its constitutional monarchy, and the Tsarist system in Russia. This continuity meant there was no sudden rise in international tensions that usually come with rebellion and revolution, like the one in France that brought Napoleon to power, resulting in widespread war. The domestic focus of Germany was squarely on unification, and this ensured that Prussia did not look too far beyond her own borders, ...

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