1815 The Vienna Settlement: An Enforced Peace

Abstract

The anti-French alliance enabled to defeat Napoleon at Leipzig in 1813, after his unsuccessful Russian campaign. They imposed a peace to France with the I. Paris Treaty in 1814 and Napoleon was dethroned. Bonaparte, who had invaded the large part of Europe, had established a great empire and a French centered order in the continent. After overthrown of Napoleon, they needed to restore the system that he left behind. For this reeason, they summoned a congress in Vienna in 1814. All Powers sent representatives to Vienna where the four triumphant Great Powers, the Great Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia were the main actors. Beside the questions like the self-determination and nationalism that aroused during the Napoleonic era, every participant had its own agenda and expectations. But the Great Powers never considered the others. All the important matters and land regulations were decided by the four Powers according to their national benefits. Moreover, they ignored the great principles of liberalism and nationalism. They believed that this was as the triumphant Powers their right. On the other hand, they thouht that, a balance of Powers which conciliates their interests, would provide the peace in Europe. So, they shared the Napoleon’s legacy among themselves. The small states and peoples who lost their independence during Napoleon’ rule were not liberated. They were just transferred from government to government without consultation of their wishes. The sovereignty of one ruler was replaced by the sovereignty of four rulers. Congress established the peace between four Powers but not for the peoples. It solved previous problems, but at the same time, it opened the way for many future questions and conflicts.