DP History – IB 1 – C.

Pache

The Congress of Vienna (1814-15)

👤 You work alone.

1. Study the given material and take notes on the Congress of Vienna.
2. Analyse the forces for change and the forces for stability (against change!) for Italy in
1815. (You may create a table or any sort of visualisation).

The great powers of Europe met in 1814 and again in 1815 to redraw the boundaries after
the Napoleonic era. The aim of the Congress of Vienna was to maintain the common
purpose that had united the powers in the final drive against Napoleon, for the French
Revolution was blamed for the instability and conflict since 1792. To some extent its aim
was to prevent change and prevent France and Russia from expanding. However, many
historians have argued that there was no real ‘system’ behind the meetings that took
place. Despite this, Metternich did use the meetings to agree with the other eastern
powers of Russia and Prussia that it was the duty of the Great Powers to intervene with
force to support governments that were overthrown by revolution. The system was
therefore used to ensure that Austria maintained its control over Italy and developments in
its political life, crushing any semblance of revolutionary or liberal activity.
 DP History – IB 1 – C. Pache

What was the impact on Germany?

There had been various changes in Germany since 1789, and it was not possible to
restore the hundreds of small states. Although nationalists hoped that a united Germany
might result from the defeat of Napoleon, they were disappointed by the terms agreed at
the Congress of VIenna. One of the most important reasons for the lack of unity was the
rivalry between Austria and Prussia, both of whom wanted to control Germany, but were
also determined to limit the influence of the other. As a result, the new Germany that
replaced the Holy Roman Empire consisted of 39 states in a confederation (Deutscher
Bund). Representatives from the governments of these states - princes and kings - now
met in an assembly which was presided over by Austria.
The Congress of Vienna resulted in several key developments:
● Germany was reduced to 39 independent states and free cities organised in a
loose confederation (Bund) that was dominated by Austria
● The Bund had an assembly called a Diet, with 17 members. The Diet met at
Frankfurt. In theory, the Bund could make war, conduct diplomacy and raise
armies. In practice, there was no effective Bund government and the independent
representatives rarely agreed unanimously.
● Austria was strengthened by the Vienna settlement, gaining land in Italy, eastern
Galicia (Polish territory), Salzburg and the Tyrol, the Voralberg, Lombardy, Venetia
and the Adriatic coast (Dalmatia)
● Prussia was also strengthened by the treaty, gaining land in the west of Germany
on both sides of the Rhine - Westphalia, Cleves, Cologne, Aachen, Bonn, Koblenz
and Trier. Prussia was deliberately given lands in western Germany as a barrier to
French expansion. The lands had valuable economic resources (coal and iron ore)
that provided the basis of its later growth. However, at that time, Prussia resented
losing Polish land and not gaining all of Saxony.
● France was allowed to keep Alsace and Lorraine, even though Prussia wanted
control of these areas.

The rulers at the Congress of Vienna hoped for a return to the old principles of monarchy.
However, the spread of French revolutionary ideals had given rise to new ideas of
representative government, democracy, opposition to the control of the Church, free trade
and greater national feeling. Broadly speaking, there were two forces at work - liberalism
and nationalism. People sought constitutional rule and the right of subjects to participate in
government. There was also greater enthusiasm for a new German nation and more unity
between German peoples. With a rising population with more people living in cities, the
growing middle class was sufficiently well educated to be influenced by the new liberal
ideas.
Another important force was economic growth. Britain was the first industrial nation, but
the whole of Europe experienced economic expansion after 1815. Cities and their
populations grew. There were new production techniques and factories, modern farming
methods, and new methods of transports including canal boats and (after 1929) railways.
There was also increased trade. Despite the rapid growth in some areas with great natural
resources, other areas remained rooted in old economic practices. In fact, the German
confederation was predominantly agricultural and made up of small towns. The new ideas
of the revolutionary period did not win the same enthusiasm from conservative, traditional
peasantry or small-town merchants. In the German confederation, it was Prussia that was
able to grow economically and Austria that had predominantly static agricultural areas.
 DP History – IB 1 – C. Pache

On the other hand, there were factors likely to prevent the new thoughts. The Bund was
established by a meeting of the great powers, so any changes would require their
agreement (or a coup against them). The rulers of Austria and Russia were absolute
emperors with large armies that they used to suppress change. The kings and princes of
Germany had similar interests to Austria and Russia and believed that a united Germany
would weaken their independence. As with Italy, the Congress System was to be used to
maintain the status quo and suppress any liberal or revolutionary activity.
Metternich used the meetings of the Great Powers of Austria, Prussia, Russia, Britain and
France to settle disagreements and keep peace, but most importantly to stifle revolution.
This was seen clearly at the Congress of Troppau in 1820 which followed the outbreak of
revolutions in Spain, Portugal and Piedmont. Metternich put forward a proposal that
Russia, Austria and Prussia would act together to restore any government overthrown by
force. This proposal was accepted and became known as the Protocol of Troppau.

Like Italy, the German Bund was used to local traditions. In Prussia, there were strong
military traditions and respect for authority. The heroic figures were militaristic kings of the
past, such as Frederick the Great. The Prussian Junkers (noble landowner) had
considerable influence in the east.
In smaller states such as Hannover, there was distrust of Prussia. The south and west of
Germany were divided from the north by religious differences and centuries of division had
entrenched loyalties to local rulers.

National unity was associated with French rule, which had been more unpopular and
resented in Germany than in Italy. Some Germans appreciated the end of feudalism, the
introduction of a fairer legal and administrative system and greater trading opportunities;
but most resented conscription, higher taxation and the restrictions on trade with Britain.

Lastly, there was no consensus about what a German nation would entail. Two models
emerged: a Großdeutschland (‘big Germany’) would include Austria and the south, while a
Kleindeutschland (‘small Germany’) would consist of an enlarged north Germany. Within
these models there was no agreement on the form that it would take:
● What would be the status of non-Germans (Slavs in Austria, Polish in Prussia …)?
● Would it be a liberal, democratic or monarchical model?
● Would it have a federal structure with an overall government or a loose
organisation?
● What would be the role of Prussia?
● What would be the role of Austria (in case of a Großdeutschland)?

Without agreements on these fundamentals, any plans for future German unity were
problematic. The difficulties strengthened reactionary elements in the Bund that wanted to
avoid major change. As a result, the major powers were not faced with challenges
immediately after 1815.