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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
 Course
2. In 1827, Russia, France and Britain signed
the Treaty of London. They agreed to help
Greece gain self-government
3. In 1828, Russia declared war on Turkey.
4. Under the Treaty of Adrianople, Greece
gain self-government
Break up of the Congress System
 There were no more congress after the
Greek War of Independence because:
2. Conflicting interests of the Powers
3. As nationalism grew, change against the
Congress System increased.
4. Britain did not support the system
The Congress System:
Achievements
 Prevented war for almost 40 years
 A good example of international co-
operation
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.

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