Concert of Europe facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
European Restoration

1815–1849
The national boundaries within Europe as set by the Congress of Vienna, 1815.
Preceded by	Napoleonic era
Including	Regency era Bourbon Restoration Revolutions of 1830 Revolutions of 1848
Followed by	Romantic era
Leader(s)	Klemens von Metternich Charles de Talleyrand Francis I of Austria Ferdinand I of Austria Louis XVIII of France Charles X of France The Earl of Liverpool The Duke of Welington Alexander I of Russia Nicholas I of Russia

The Concert of Europe, also known as the Congress System or the Vienna System after the Congress of Vienna, was a system of dispute resolution adopted by the major conservative powers of Europe to maintain their power, oppose revolutionary movements, weaken the forces of nationalism, and uphold the balance of power. Historians date its operation from the end of the Napoleonic Wars (1815) to the early 1820s, although some see it playing a role until the Crimean War (1853–1856).

The member countries were the United Kingdom, Austria, Russia and Prussia (no longer a country). After Napoleon, ruler of France, was no longer in power, France joined the Concert of Europe.

Leaders

Prince Metternich, Austrian Chancellor and an influential leader in the Concert of Europe

The leaders of this concert include:

• British Foreign Secretary - Lord Castlereagh
• Austrian Chancellor - Prince Klemenz von Metternich
• Russian Czar - Alexander I

The Concert was also known as the Congress System, where leaders would meet and reach decisions by mutual agreement. It eventually would change names and more countries joined to form The League of Nations.

Goals

Important goals of the Concert:

• control France after many years of war
• develop a "balance of power" among the nations of Europe
• uphold the agreements set by the Congress of Vienna (1814-1815)
• prevent another dictator from gaining too much power (like Napoleon)

Benefits:

• helped Greece and Belgium gain independence
• helped end the eight-year Egyptian control of Syria

Decline:

• Fell apart after years of disagreement between the countries
• Mainly between Great Britain (England) and the other conservative countries in the Concert
• Finally fell after the following wars: Crimean War, Italian War for Independence, Austro-Prussian War and the Franco-Prussian War.

Images for kids

• 

  Prince Metternich, Austrian chancellor and foreign minister, as well as an influential leader in the Concert of Europe

See also

In Spanish: Concierto europeo para niños