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How far do you agree that quote Security not revenge(TM) was the main objective of the statesman at the congress of Vienna in 1815?

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How far do you agree that quote 'Security not revenge' was the main objective of the statesman at the congress of Vienna in 1815? Napoleon Bonaparte's France may have conquered the whole of Europe, but their magnificent generation was short. After France lost against the 'Grand alliance Powers' in 1814, Napoleon stepped down from his post and was exiled to Elba. France's territorial achievements were all gone and many expected that there will be a territorial conflict among the 'Great Powers' but through the 'Congress of Vienna' the 'Great Powers' were able to avoid lots of big conflicts. The Congress of Vienna was a conference of representatives of the major powers of Europe charged by the Austrian political leader Clemens Wenzel von Mettenrich. The participated major nations were: Austria, United Kingdom, Prussia, Russia and France. The purpose of the meeting was to settle issues and redraw Europe's political map after the French defeat. The nations wanted to have peace which meant that territory and influence in Europe would be shared among the great powers, in a way that would stop the domination by any country. ...read more.


Friedrich Wilhelm III, the King of Prussia, wanted France to suffer (according to Webster most Prussians had 'an undying hatred'), and he wanted the expansion of Prussian territory by expanding into North Germany, and taking Saxony. Klemens von Metternich (Foreign Minister of Russia) wanted a strong central Europe, under the influence of Russia in order to balance Russia and France, he also wanted to stop Russian and Prussian ambitions, and also he wanted the continuance of monarchical government and aristocratic leadership. Viscount Robert Stewart Castleragh (British Foreign Secretary) wanted peace and stability, the retention of Britain's wartime gains overseas, and humanitarian liberalism. Charles Talleyrand-Perigord (who represented France) wanted legitimacy (the right of a ruler to hold power by tough inherited law), restrictions on Prussian expansion so that Prussia would not introduce a direct threat to France, and to stare clearly France as a major power. Basically some nations including host Austria and England were generous towards the agreement whereas some other nations such as Russia and Prussia aimed more to fulfill their demands. ...read more.


First the French historians were quite antagonistic. They blamed the Vienna Congress for causing the 1830 and 1848 revolutions in France and felt that Louis XVIII was excessively punished for the crimes of Napoleon Bonaparte. It has also been argued that the Vienna Congress was 'incomplete' since it relied very heavily on the Great Powers to impose it and presumed their continuing wish to work together. Nations like Austria was left with commitments that were far beyond its financial and military resources and United Kingdom on the other hand was to grow increasingly independent over the following years and less inclined to cooperate with the other Great Powers. In general the Vienna Conference can be agreed that the main purpose was to maintain peace and security in Europe; although there were some minor arguments among several countries, it was able to prevent the territorial dispute, and also France was able to maintain most of its territory, meaning that the 'Grand power Alliances' decided not to revenge on France. Basically if the congress was not focused on maintaining peace than probably the nations might see another war (due to territorial dispute) and France would automatically be eradicated. ?? ?? ?? ?? 23/8/08 ...read more.

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