Analyse the Aims and Attitudes of the Main Characters of Vienna | Analyse the Aims and Attitudes of the Main Characters of Vienna

Analyse the aims and attitudes of the main characters of Vienna.

The congress of Vienna was an international conference that was held in order to discuss the remaking of Europe after the downfall of Napoleon I. The major powers responsible for that defeat-Austria, Great Britain, Russia, and Prussia - signed the Treaty of Chaumont, saying that they would meet in Vienna, Austria in September to put Europe back in order. The conference was then held in Vienna, Austria, between September 1814 and June 1815. The main objective of the congress was to make a "balance of power" between the European countries in order to create and preserve peace between the nations.

Even though the conference was opened with balls, dinners, and conferences the main important names soon got down to work. The four major powers of Europe, Russia, Austria, Prussia and Great Britain, were the ones to take the main decisions. Austria, the host country of the conference, was represented by its leader Prince Klemens von Metternich (1773-1859). Alexander I, the Emperor of Russia (1801-1825), was at the conference on behalf of the Russian state. Friedrich Wilhem III (1797-1840), was the main delegate representing Prussia. Lord Castlereagh represented Great Britain. However, even though France was present and was represented by its diplomat, Charles Talleyrand-Périgord (1754-1838), it did not form part of the major powers. The major powers decided that France, Spain, Portugal and other smaller powers would have no say in important decisions. Ironically, Talleyrand, the French diplomat, ended being the deciding vote in many of the decisions.

Alexander I was a powerful figure at the Congress of Vienna but other powers were always suspicious about his intentions. One of the main aims of Russian Tsar was to expand into south-east Asia, at the expense of Turkey which made other powers worry. This Russian objective makes it clear why, in the early stages of the conference, Alexander I had little interest for the "balance of power" objective. Russia was a huge, powerful country, with nothing to fear in 1814. The Tsar's main goal in the Congress was to place all of Poland, already occupied by his soldiers, under his rule. He believed he was doing this for the good of the Poles, to unite their country. He also supported Prussia's claims on land in Saxony, to compensate for the Polish provinces he wanted. Russia was also in favour of the Prussians taking control over Saxony, which would keep it away from Poland. He did not want any threat from the Germans and therefore would divide Germany so no pose of threat could take place. We can see that with these aims and attitudes at the conference, Alexander I worked on self-interest rather than a change for the whole of Europe. The secretary of the congress, Gentz, stated that:

"The three principle objects of the Emperor Alexander were: 1st, to take possession for ever of the whole, or almost the whole, of the Duchy of Warsaw [Poland]... 2nd, to prevent Austria from profiting too much by the advantages of her new position; 3rd, to enrich Prussia as much as possible... to make her a useful and powerful ally." (Memoires of Prince Metternich, p. 554)

However, the King of Prussia, Friedrich Wilhelm III, had similar aims and objectives. Prussia was seen to be the "shadow" of Russia; it was clear that throughout the conference he appeared to be anxious not to offend its powerful neighbour, and to follow Russia's lead. Friedrich Wilhelm III was a very timid man so most of the negotiating was done by the chancellor, Karl Hardenberg. Prussia's main aims were to obtain a harsh settlement for the French, for whom most Prussians had "an undying hatred" (according to historian C.Webster). Its main goal was to restore its population of 1805 by acquiring new land, preferably in the German country of Saxony. Therefore, Prussia shared interests with Russia and would therefore have support from each other. The secretary of the Congress, Gentz, stated his opinion of Prussia:

"Prussia only brought to the Congress an immoderate desire for extending her possessions at the expense of all the world, and without regard to any principle of justice or even decency." (Memoires of Prince Metternich, p. 557)

Prince Klemens von Metternich, the host of the conference, did not have an easy role to play in the defence of Austria. Austria was composed of many different nationalities and therefore his main attention was put onto the idea of minimising the spread of liberal and nationalistic ideas and working for the so called "balance of power." His main aims in the congress of Vienna were; A strong central Europe, under the influence of Austria, to balance Russia and France. Austria wanted a stable Germany and Europe, and to maintain the status quo. He also wanted to restrain Russian and Prussian ambitions of seizing territory and expanding their empire. The secretary of the Conference, Gentz, also stated that:

"Austria found herself, between these four Powers, in the most embarrassing position. She could not look on the Emperor Alexander, in spite of all his protestations of friendship for the Emperor [of Austria], but as a declared enemy, and Prussia, always carried away by her own rapacity and ambition, as the inseparable ally of this enemy. She was too deterred from too great a friendship with France... by the fear of lowering herself in public opinion, by leaguing herself openly with a Power which had formerly been the common enemy of Europe." (Memoires of Prince Metternich, p. 561)

On the other hand, the representative for Great Britain, Viscount Robert Stewart Castlereagh, was too realistic. His attitude was too realistic on forcing change on other nations. His aims were to increase the colonial empire and trading links, it was not interested in gaining European territory. He wanted peace and stability, moves towards liberalism wherever possible. The retention of Britain's wartime gains overseas and last but not least, humanitarian liberalism, this was the abolition of slavery and slave trade, which Britain had gotten rid of voluntarily in 1807. Britain was very much joined to the aims of Austria with the "Balance of Power" plan but, however, Britain was much more realistic and did not apply only self-interest ideas. Britain was reluctant to become too involved in Continental affairs. Castlereagh summarized Britain's position when he said:

"We shall be found in our Place when actual danger menaces the System of Europe; but the Country can not, and will not, act upon abstract and speculative Principles of Precaution." (Kissinger--Diplomacy, p. 88)

Last but not least was the French diplomat, Charles Talleyrand-Périgord. Talleyrand was ready to exploit any differences of opinion between the other nations in order to apply French power. Talleyrand disliked the thought of France as the "defeated Napoleon" and insisted that it was to be referred to as "the restored Bourbon monarchy." His main aims were legitimacy; this was that the ruler had the right to hold power by strict hereditary law, as it had already been applied in France. He wanted to restrict Prussian expansion so that Prussia would never be a direct threat to France. He too wanted France's entire claim to be regarded as "a major power." Therefore, in my opinion Talleyrand was self-centred and did not look for the overall benefits.

Overall, Russia wanted expansion of territory and security from its neighbours; she was not very interested in negotiating the "balance of power" plan. Prussia sought after the take over of Saxony, which was close to Russia's ideas. On the other hand, there was, Austria wanting to work on the "balance of power" to maintain peace throughout the European nations. Great Britain shared the same views of working towards the "balance of power", however, it also wanted to apply humanitarian liberalism in the European countries. France wanted respect for the country from all of the other statesmen, it also wanted to restrict Prussian expansion so there would be no direct threat in the future.

Analysing the aims and attitudes of the main statesmen at the congress of Vienna, we can see the different wants form the different countries. Russia and Prussia seem to be allied and wanting to seek self-interests, whilst, Britain and Austria are looking for well-being of all by discussing the "balance of power", however, France is not on either side. Talleyrand seems to want a lot for France and therefore, having self-interests like Russia and Prussia, but on the other hand, Talleyrand is against extremists and therefore agrees with Britain and Austria in certain terms.

The objective of the congress was to establish a balance of power amongst the European countries and maintain peace between the nations. This was achieved in the highly successful congress, for the peace in Europe was left undisturbed for almost 40 subsequent years.