The Congress System

The Congress System

The Congress System     

The Congress of Vienna (1814-15) The Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (1818) The Congress of Troppau (1820) The Congress of Laibach (1821) The Congress of Verona (1822)

The Congress of Aix-la-Chappelle Attendants:  Russia  Prussia  Britain  Austria  France

The Congress of Aix-la-Chappelle :Agreement  To withdraw the army of occupation from France  To admit France to the Quadruple Alliance and rename it Quintuple Alliance

The Congress of Aix-la-Chappelle :Disputes  Russia- Propose an international fleet to eliminated pirate activities. British opposed it.  Prussia suggested an allied army to suppress revolutions in Europe. British opposed it.  Britain proposed a naval force to search vessels for slaves. The other Powers opposed it.

The Congress of Aix-la-Chappelle  The Congress successfully preserved peace in Europe for almost 40 years, until Crimean War  Mutual suspicion between Britain and the other four Powers.  The mutual suspicion caused the collapse of the Congress System.

The Congress of Troppau (1820) Background: Revolutions in Europe  Italy – Carbonari fomented disturbances. Kings were forced to adopt constitutions.  Germany – students demonstrated against Metternich and demand German unification.  Central and South America – The Spanish and Portuguese colonies in Central and South America declared independence.

The Congress of Troppau (1820)  Metternich of Austria and Czar Alexander I therefore called the Congress.  Prussia, Austria and Russia attended the Congress.  Britain and France only sent observers to the meeting.

The Congress of Troppau (1820)  Metternich suggested that revolutions in Europe should be suppressed.  Czar Alexander I agreed the proposal but Britain and France disagreed of it.

The Congress of Troppau (1820)  The Troppau Protocol was signed.  It declared that if revolution broke out in a state and endangered other European states, the Powers would remedy the situation by peaceful means or by arm if needed.

The Congress of Troppau (1820)  France supported the Protocol with some reservation  Britain declared not to intervene into the domestic affairs of the other sates although she still remained in the Alliance.  The Congress system was further weakened.

The Congress of Laibach (1821)  Background 2. In 1821, the Kingdom of Naples faced revolution. The King promised to give a constitution to the people of Naples. 3. There were also revolutions in Greece and Spain in 1821. 4. The Congress was called in 1821 by the Powers. Besides the five Powers, the King of Naples also attended the Congress.

The Congress of Laibach (1821)  Austrian army moved into Naples and restored the despotic powers of King Ferdinand I of Naples.  An Austrian army was also sent to Piedmont and suppress the liberal movement there.

The Congress of Laibach (1821)  Britain strongly disagreed with the decision. She would have withdrawn from the Congress system if the Greek War of Independence did not break out.

The Congress of Verona (1822) Background 2. In 1921, Greeks revolt against their Turk ruler. 3. Revolution also took place in Spain. The Spanish King, Ferdinand VII was overthrown. 

The Congress of Verona (1822) The Congress did not reach any agreement. 2. Russia proposed to send a troop to Spain to suppress the revolution. It was rejected by the other Powers. 3. France proposed to suppressed the revolution by a French army. British disagreed because the Spanish King wanted to restore the colonies in South America  Britain withdrew from the Congress eventually. 

The Greek War of Independence Background  Greece was ruled by Ottoman Empire (the Turks ) since 15th century.  The Greeks kept their own religion (Orthodox) despite they had Muslim rulers.  Although the Greeks were exempted to serve in Turkish armies, they still hated Turks because of the high tax rate.

The Greek War of Independence  In the early 19th century, the Turkish Empire declined.  People in the Balkan Peninsular (most of them were Christians) fought for independence from the Turks.  In 1921, Greeks begin to fight for independence.

The Greek War of Independence     

The Powers attitude: Russia: support/against? Britain: support/against? Austria: support/against? Prussia and France: support/ against?

The Greek War of Independence  2.

3. 4.

Course In 1827, Russia, France and Britain signed the Treaty of London. They agreed to help Greece gain self-government In 1828, Russia declared war on Turkey. Under the Treaty of Adrianople, Greece gain self-government

Break up of the Congress System  2. 3. 4.

There were no more congress after the Greek War of Independence because: Conflicting interests of the Powers As nationalism grew, change against the Congress System increased. Britain did not support the system

The Congress System: Achievements  Prevented war for almost 40 years  A good example of international cooperation

The Congress System: Defects  Most of the powers were old fashioned. They refused ideas such as Liberalism and Nationalism, which were world trends in the 19th century  The decision of the Powers acted on motives of self interest. They ignored Nationalism and Liberalism and caused hatred  Although there were no war in Europe until 1850’s, revolutions broke out everywhere in Europe.