The Concert of Europe 1815–30

Abstract

The defeat of France did not remove the threat of international revolution and war. To a large extent the Vienna Settlement at the end of the wars was intended to maintain peace and stability. More than this was needed, though. To the Austrian chancellor Prince Metternich what was necessary was some sort of league between European rulers which would maintain the Settlement and police the continent. What makes the period after 1815 so noteworthy is the operation of the ‘Metternich system’. This is why it is often referred to as the ‘Age of Metternich’. In fact, it was a very brief and passing phase, because it was impossible to maintain a minimum degree of agreement between the rulers.