The Congress of Vienna and its Legacy: War and Great Power Diplomacy after Napoleon (International Library of Historical Studies)

Two centuries ago, Europe emerged from one of the greatest crises in its history. In September 1814, the rulers of Europe and their ministers descended upon Vienna to reconstruct Europe after two decades of revolution and war, with the major decisions made by the statesmen of the great powers - Castlereagh, Metternich, Talleyrand, Hardenberg and Emperor Alexander of Russia. The territorial reconstruction of Europe, however, is only a part of this story. It was followed, in the years 1815 to 1822, by a bold experiment in international cooperation and counter-revolution, known as the 'Congress System'. The Congress of Vienna and subsequent Congresses constituted a major turning point – the first genuine attempt to forge an 'international order', to bring long-term peace to a troubled Europe, and to control the pace of political change through international supervision and intervention. In this book, Mark Jarrett argues that the decade of the European Congresses in fact marked the beginning of our modern era, with a profound impact upon the course of subsequent developments. Based upon extensive research, this book provides a fresh look at a pivotal but often neglected period. In 1814 the five reigning dynasties of Europe, Alexander I of Russia and ministers such Metternich and Talleyrand, descended upon Vienna. The Vienna Congress marked one of the great turning points in diplomatic history; the first attempt to create an'international order'to secure peace for the nineteenth century. The blueprint for modern-day global governance models such as the UN, it was a response to Napoleon's expansion across Europe, and sought to build upon the state systems he left behind whilst shoring up the privileges and power of Europe's elite. Here, Mark Jarrett argues that the Congress of Vienna in fact marked the beginning of the end for the Ancien Regime, yet, despite its disintegration following the suicide of Castlereagh, the'congress system'has had an enormous influence up to the present day. The role of diplomacy as a means to conflict resolution, the workings of multi-lateralism and the emphasis on international organizations to guarantee national sovereignty were all long term by-products of the'congress system'. A new synthesis of archival material, The Congress System is a fresh exploration of a key event in the history of International Relations and Diplomacy. In September 1814, the rulers of Europe and their ministers descended upon Vienna after two decades of revolution and war. Their task was to redraw continental borders following the collapse of the Napoleonic Empire. Inevitably, all of the major decisions were made by the leading statesmen of the five 'great powers'-Castlereagh, Metternich, Talleyrand, Hardenberg and Tsar Alexander of Russia. The territorial reconstruction of Europe marks only one part of this story. Over the next seven years, Europe witnessed unrest in Germany, Britain, and France, and revolution in Latin America, Spain, Portugal, Naples, Piedmont, Greece, and Romania. Against this backdrop, the Congress of Vienna was followed by an audacious experiment in international cooperation and counter-revolution, known as the 'Congress System'. This system marked the first genuine attempt to forge an 'international order' based upon consensus rather than conflict. The goal of the Congress statesmen was to secure long-term peace and stability by controlling the pace of political change through international supervision and intervention The Vienna Congress Marked One Of The Turning Points In Diplomatic History - An Attempt To Create An 'international Order' To Secure Peace For The 19th Century. Mark Jarrett Argues That The Congress In Fact Marked The Beginning Of The End For The Ancien Regime, And Has Had An Enormous Influence, Right Through To Present Day. The European State System And The Napoleonic Wars -- The Collapse Of The Napoleonic Empire, 1812-14 -- The Congress Of Vienna, 1814-15 -- The Birth Of The Congress System, 1815-18 -- The Alliance In Operation, 1819-20 -- Rift And Reunion, 1820-22 -- The Twilight Of The Congress System, 1822-23 -- The Legacy Of The Congress System : Success Or Failure? Mark Jarrett. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 498-514) And Index. "The Vienna Congress marked one of the turning points in diplomatic history - an attempt to create an 'international order' to secure peace for the 19th century. Mark Jarrett argues that the Congress in fact marked the beginning of the end for the Ancien Regime, and has had an enormous influence, right through to present day."--Bloomsbury Publishing