The Breakup of the Congress System 1818-1830

Although the great powers did meet to discuss the situation in Europe after 1815 the differences between them became increasingly obvious and potentially dangerous. There were:

• the Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818)

• the Congress of Troppau (1820)

• the Congress of Laibach (1821)

• the Congress of Verona (1822)

After this last congress it had become obvious that Britain and France were in total disagreement with Russia, Austria and Prussia on so many issues it was pointless to carry on. The great powers never met again.

The Eastern Question

Throughout the 19th century this problem was a major preoccupation of all the governments of Europe. The question was quite simply, "What about Ottoman Turkey?". On the map the Ottoman Empire looked strong. In reality it was weak and it was for this reason that it was known as "the sick man of Europe". The question that every government posed was what would happen when the Ottoman Empire collapsed? Not if, but when. After 1830, Britain and France in particular were extremely preoccupied because they were becoming afraid of Russia.

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© Shirley Burchill, Nigel Hughes, Richard Gale, Peter Price and Keith Woodall 2009