Congress of Vienna

The Congress of Vienna was a conference between ambassadors from the major powers in Europe that was chaired by the Austrian statesman Klemens Wenzel von Metternich and held in Vienna, Austria, from October 1, 1814, to June 9, 1815. Its purpose was to redraw the continent's political map after the defeat of Napoleonic France the previous spring.

Related Topics:
Europe - Klemens Wenzel von Metternich - Vienna, Austria - October 1 - 1814 - June 9 - 1815 - France

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The discussions continued despite the ex-Emperor Napoleon I's return from exile and resumption of power in France in March 1815, and the Congress's Final Act was signed nine days before his final defeat at Waterloo. Technically, one might note that the "Congress of Vienna" never actually occurred, as the Congress never met in plenary session, with most of the discussions occurring in informal sessions among the Great Powers.

Related Topics:
Napoleon I - Waterloo

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Congress was concerned with determining the entire shape of Europe after the Napoleonic wars, with the exception of the terms of peace with France, which had already been decided by the Treaty of Paris, signed a few months earlier, on May 30, 1814.

Related Topics:
Treaty of Paris - May 30 - 1814

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~