Glossary
Alexander I
The Tsar of Russia who played a significant role at the Congress of Vienna, advocating for a Holy Alliance based on Christian principles and seeking territorial gains in Poland.
Example:
Alexander I envisioned a Europe guided by moral principles, even as he pursued Russia's strategic interests, making him a complex figure at the Congress.
Balance of Power
A diplomatic goal of the Congress of Vienna to ensure no single nation could dominate Europe, achieved by strengthening weaker states and creating alliances.
Example:
The creation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, combining Belgium and Holland, was an attempt to establish a stronger buffer state and contribute to the Balance of Power against potential French aggression.
Castlereagh
Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh, was the British foreign secretary at the Congress of Vienna, focused on establishing a stable balance of power and preventing Russian dominance.
Example:
Castlereagh was instrumental in forging the Quadruple Alliance, demonstrating Britain's commitment to collective security and preventing future French hegemony.
Concert of Europe
A system of dispute resolution adopted by the Great Powers of Europe after the Congress of Vienna, aimed at maintaining peace and the status quo through collective action and diplomacy.
Example:
The Concert of Europe was like an early form of international governance, where major powers consulted and sometimes intervened to prevent revolutions and preserve the established order.
Congress of Vienna
A series of meetings held by European powers from 1814-1815 to redraw the map of Europe and restore order after the defeat of Napoleon.
Example:
The Congress of Vienna was like a grand diplomatic chess match, where leaders strategically moved territories and restored monarchies to prevent another continent-wide war.
Conservatism
A political ideology that emerged in response to the French Revolution, advocating for traditional institutions, social hierarchies, and gradual change, often emphasizing monarchy, aristocracy, and established churches.
Example:
The rise of conservatism after Napoleon reflected a widespread desire among elites to restore stability and order, fearing the chaos unleashed by radical revolutionary ideas.
Contain France
A strategy adopted by the Congress of Vienna to prevent future French expansion by strengthening the states bordering France.
Example:
To Contain France, territories like the Rhineland were given to Prussia, creating a stronger eastern frontier to deter any future Napoleonic-style ambitions.
Edmund Burke
An Irish statesman and philosopher, considered the father of modern conservatism, who argued for gradual change and warned against the dangers of radical revolution in his 'Reflections on the Revolution in France'.
Example:
Edmund Burke believed that society was an organic entity that evolved slowly, and that sudden, violent changes like those in the French Revolution would lead to tyranny and chaos.
Hardenberg
Karl August von Hardenberg was the Prussian statesman who represented Prussia at the Congress of Vienna, seeking territorial gains, particularly in Saxony and the Rhineland.
Example:
Hardenberg played a key role in Prussia's territorial expansion, which would later contribute to its growing power and eventual unification of Germany.
Joseph de Maistre
A French philosopher and counter-revolutionary figure who advocated for absolute monarchy and the authority of the Catholic Church, believing that only strong, divinely ordained power could prevent societal breakdown.
Example:
Joseph de Maistre was a staunch traditionalist who saw the French Revolution as a divine punishment for Enlightenment rationalism, arguing for a return to strict religious and monarchical authority.
Metternich
Klemens von Metternich was the Austrian foreign minister and a dominant figure at the Congress of Vienna, known for his conservative ideology and efforts to suppress liberalism and nationalism.
Example:
As the 'coachman of Europe,' Metternich tirelessly worked to maintain the old order, viewing any revolutionary stirrings as a direct threat to stability.
Napoleonic Code
A comprehensive and uniform set of laws established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804, which codified several principles of the French Revolution, such as equality before the law and protection of private property.
Example:
The Napoleonic Code was so influential that its principles, like the emphasis on clear, written law, can still be seen in the legal systems of many European and Latin American countries today.
Principle of Intervention
A policy adopted by the Quadruple Alliance, allowing them to send armies into countries where revolutions threatened legitimate monarchies.
Example:
When revolts erupted in Naples and Spain, the Principle of Intervention was invoked, leading to Austrian and French troops suppressing the liberal movements.
Principle of Legitimacy
A core goal of the Congress of Vienna, aiming to restore traditional monarchs to their thrones, believing that legitimate rulers would ensure political stability.
Example:
The return of the Bourbon monarchy to France after Napoleon's defeat was a prime example of the Principle of Legitimacy in action, aiming to turn back the clock on revolutionary changes.
Quadruple Alliance
An alliance formed in 1815 by Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia, initially to ensure the terms of the Congress of Vienna were upheld and to prevent future French aggression.
Example:
The Quadruple Alliance acted as the enforcement arm of the Concert of Europe, ready to deploy military force to suppress liberal or nationalist uprisings across the continent.
Talleyrand
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord was the French diplomat at the Congress of Vienna who skillfully negotiated on behalf of defeated France, ensuring it was treated as a legitimate power rather than being severely punished.
Example:
Despite representing the defeated nation, Talleyrand's diplomatic genius allowed France to retain its great power status and avoid harsh reparations at the Congress.