| − | The '''Congress of Vienna''' was a conference held in [[Vienna]] between the major powers from September, 1814 to June, 1815. In the middle [[Napoleon]] returned from exile. The conferees agreed to raise vast armies against him and, after 100 days, he was defeated at Waterloo. The Conference then resumed. | + | The '''Congress of Vienna''' was a conference held in [[Vienna]] between the major powers from September, 1814 to June, 1815. In the middle, [[Napoleon]] returned from exile. The conferees agreed to raise vast armies against him and, after 100 days, he was defeated at Waterloo. The Conference then resumed. |
| − | The victors decided how to liquidate the Napoleonic system and restore the conservatives to their thrones. Central players were Lord [[Castlereagh]] of Great Britain, Prince [[Klemens von Metternich|Metternich]] of Austria, and Prince [[Talleyrand]] of France. Many other dignitaries attended, including Emperor Francis I of Austria; Tsar Alexander I of Russia; King Frederick William III of Prussia; the Kings of Denmark, Bavaria, and Württemberg; the Duke of Wellington; and Baron Wilhelm von Humboldt, among many others. The [[Ottoman Empire]] and the United States were not invited, but all the other European nations were there. | + | The victors decided how to liquidate the Napoleonic system and restore the [[conservative]]s to their thrones. Central players were Lord [[Castlereagh]] of Great Britain, Prince [[Klemens von Metternich|Metternich]] of Austria, and Prince [[Talleyrand]] of France. Many other dignitaries attended, including Emperor Francis I of Austria; Tsar Alexander I of Russia; King Frederick William III of Prussia; the Kings of Denmark, Bavaria, and Württemberg; the Duke of Wellington; and Baron Wilhelm von Humboldt, among many others. The [[Ottoman Empire]] and the United States were not invited, but all the other European nations were there. |
| | The purpose of the Congress was to work out a peaceful solution to the disruptions of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (Napoleon was in exile on Elba when it started); and reinforce the pre-war status quo regarding the Balance of Power in Europe. | | The purpose of the Congress was to work out a peaceful solution to the disruptions of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (Napoleon was in exile on Elba when it started); and reinforce the pre-war status quo regarding the Balance of Power in Europe. |