Question

‘The Treaty of Vienna depicted the spirit of conservatism.’ Substantiate the statement with key features of the treaty.

Answer 1

After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815, European governments were driven by a spirit of conservatism. The representatives of the four great European powers – Britain, Russia, Prussia and Austria – who had collectively defeated Napoleon met at Vienna to draw up a settlement for Europe. The Austrian Chancellor, Duke Metternich, hosted the Congress. The result was the Treaty of Vienna of 1815.

1. Its object was to undo the changes that had come about in Europe during the Napoleonic wars and to restore the monarchies that had been overthrown by Napoleon and create a new conservative order in Europe. Conservatives believed that established, traditional institutions of state and society – like the monarchy, the church, social hierarchies, property, and the family – should be preserved.
2. The Bourbon dynasty (deposed during the French Revolution) was restored to power. France lost the territories it had annexed under Napoleon.
3. A series of states were set up on France's boundaries to prevent its future expansion. For example, the kingdom of the Netherlands, which included Belgium, was set up in the north. Genoa was added to Piedmont in the south.
4. Prussia was given territories on its western frontiers. Austria was given control of northern Italy. The German confederation of 39 states set up by Napoleon was left untouched.
5. Russia was given part of Poland in the east, while Prussia was given a portion of Saxony.