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The Congress of Vienna (1814-15)
After Napoleon's first abdication in April 1814, representatives of all the states of Europe met in Vienna in order to decide what to do now that the Napoleonic threat had disappeared. They had three priorities:
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To reduce the size of France to its frontiers before the Revolutionary War of 1792
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To ensure that France could never again pose a threat to the rest of Europe, especially to the east.
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To reward those countries that had been "anti-Napoleon" and punish those that had been "pro-Napoleon".
All of the European countries and States were represented at the Congress, with the sole exception of Turkey.
The four main attendees were :
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Austria |
The Austrian delegation was led by Prince Klemens Wenzel Nepomuk Lothar von Metternich, a statesman and a diplomat. Metternich was also the President of the Congress. |
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Prussia |
Delegation led by Prince Karl August von Hardenberg, Chancellor representing
King Frederick William III who was also present in Vienna,
Names of two other principal delegates were Wilhelm von Humboldt and
Karl vom und zum Stein. |
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Russia |
Delegation led by the Russian Emperor Tsar Alexandre I.
Other attendees included Count Nesselrode, Count Capo d'Istria, Carlo Andreo Pozzo di Borgo. |
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Britain |
The chief delegates to the Congress were
Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, foreign minister
and Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, general and statesman. |
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The Other attendees :
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France |
Delegation led by Charles Maurice de Talleyrand - Périgord, French statesman and diplomat, representing King Louis XVIII. |
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Spain |
One of the eight signatories to the Peace of Paris. Represented at the conference by a minister,
Count de Labrador. |
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Portugal |
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Sweden |
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The Minor States included :
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Bavaria |
Hanover |
Denmark |
Savoy |
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House of Orange |
The Papacy : Represented at the Congress by Cardinal Consalvi, papal legate. |
Switzerland |
Sardinia |
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