Congress of Vienna

Vienna, Congress of, assembly held in Vienna (1814–5) to reorganize Europe after the Napoleonic Wars. Effective decision making was carried out by Metternich of Austria, Tsar Alexander I of Russia, Castlereagh and Wellington of Britain, von Humboldt of Prussia, and Talleyrand of France. Among other territorial adjustments, the Congress established the German Confederation and the kingdoms of the Netherlands and Poland (under Russian rule), and restored the Papal States and the kingdoms of Sardinia and Naples. Austria gained parts of Italy, Prussia gained parts of Austria, and Britain gained overseas territories to achieve a new balance of power, ignoring the nationalist aspirations of the peoples concerned.

See also: Napoleonic Wars.