the congress system
The Congress System:
Great Power Diplomacy 1815-30
“The Concert of Europe is the term used to describe various attempts made by the major powers to co-operate, after 1815, in settling possible causes of conflict between themselves in order to prevent the possibility of another large-scale war.” Stephen J Lee, Aspects of European History
The Congress System and the Concert of Europe-
-both terms apply to the period of attempted co-operation among the Major Powers following the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars.
The basic idea behind this co-operative venture was that, having defeated France through concerted effort, the Powers might best maintain the peace they had created at Vienna through sustained co-operation. Initially, this collaborative exercise was conducted through the medium of periodic meetings:
- at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818
- at Troppau in 1820
- at Laibach in 1821
- at Verona in 1822
Such meetings gave rise to the term ‘Congress System’, and were an ambitious attempt to conduct international diplomacy across the conference table. During the 1820s the Congress System collapsed.
Britain refused to attend the meetings, believing that the original purpose of the co-operative process had been betrayed by Powers who sought to use their combined strength for selfish ends. Austria, Russia and Prussia were subject to their own rivalries and found it difficult to co-operate effectively on the issues which faced them.
Holy Alliance
Encouraged by the religious zealot Baroness von Krüdener, Alexander looked to involve his fellow sovereigns in a moral and spiritual association based on Christian principles.
From the Declaration of the Holy Alliance-26 September 1815
“..they are animated to protect Religion, Peace and Justice.”
The Holy Alliance was signed by most European sovereigns with the exception of the Sultan of Turkey, the Pope and the Prince Regent- who
Great Power Diplomacy 1815-30
“The Concert of Europe is the term used to describe various attempts made by the major powers to co-operate, after 1815, in settling possible causes of conflict between themselves in order to prevent the possibility of another large-scale war.” Stephen J Lee, Aspects of European History
The Congress System and the Concert of Europe-
-both terms apply to the period of attempted co-operation among the Major Powers following the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars.
The basic idea behind this co-operative venture was that, having defeated France through concerted effort, the Powers might best maintain the peace they had created at Vienna through sustained co-operation. Initially, this collaborative exercise was conducted through the medium of periodic meetings:
- at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818
- at Troppau in 1820
- at Laibach in 1821
- at Verona in 1822
Such meetings gave rise to the term ‘Congress System’, and were an ambitious attempt to conduct international diplomacy across the conference table. During the 1820s the Congress System collapsed.
Britain refused to attend the meetings, believing that the original purpose of the co-operative process had been betrayed by Powers who sought to use their combined strength for selfish ends. Austria, Russia and Prussia were subject to their own rivalries and found it difficult to co-operate effectively on the issues which faced them.
Holy Alliance
Encouraged by the religious zealot Baroness von Krüdener, Alexander looked to involve his fellow sovereigns in a moral and spiritual association based on Christian principles.
From the Declaration of the Holy Alliance-26 September 1815
“..they are animated to protect Religion, Peace and Justice.”
The Holy Alliance was signed by most European sovereigns with the exception of the Sultan of Turkey, the Pope and the Prince Regent- who