Congress of Vienna
Vienna, Austria
What happened
Diplomats of the great powers, led by Klemens von Metternich of Austria, with Viscount Castlereagh of Britain, Talleyrand of France, Tsar Alexander I of Russia and Karl August von Hardenberg of Prussia. After Napoleon's defeat, Europe's leaders met in Vienna to redraw the map of Europe. They aimed to balance the power of the great nations so that no one country could dominate again. The Final Act was signed on 9 June 1815, just nine days before the Battle of Waterloo.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It began the 'Concert of Europe', a system of great-power meetings that helped prevent a general war in Europe for nearly a century, until 1914. It also guaranteed Swiss neutrality and condemned the slave trade.
What came next
A German Confederation of 39 states was created, and the Netherlands was united as one kingdom. Historians still debate whether the Congress brought stability or held back calls for freedom and democracy.
Did you know?
The Congress held so many balls that one guest joked, 'The Congress dances a lot, but it does not move forward.'
Timeline
- September 1814The Congress of Vienna opens.
- 9 June 1815The Final Act is signed.
- 18 June 1815Napoleon is defeated at Waterloo.
- 1914The First World War ends the long peace among the great powers.