The Congress of Vienna

After Napoleon was defeated, the leaders of Europe met in Vienna, Austria, to decide what to do next. This meeting, called the Congress of Vienna, took place from 1814 to 1815. Kings, princes, and diplomats from many countries came together to redraw borders and bring peace to Europe. Their decisions shaped the continent for the next hundred years.

Putting Europe Back Together

Napoleon had changed the map of Europe during his wars. The Congress of Vienna tried to put things back the way they were before. Countries that had been conquered got their land back. Some borders were moved to create a balance of power so no one country could become too strong. The leaders wanted to prevent another big war from happening.

Did It Work?

The Congress of Vienna brought a long period of relative peace to Europe. There were no major wars between the big European powers for about 40 years. But not everyone was happy. Many people wanted freedom and the right to govern themselves. Over the following decades, revolutions broke out in several countries. Still, the Congress of Vienna is seen as an important moment in the history of diplomacy.

Fun Facts

• The Congress of Vienna included lots of fancy parties and dances along with the serious meetings.
• One diplomat joked that 'the Congress dances, but it does not move forward.'
• The Congress helped create the country of the Netherlands by joining Belgium and Holland together.

Did You Know?

The Congress of Vienna was one of the first times that countries tried to work together to create lasting peace in Europe, an idea that would later lead to organizations like the United Nations.