CONGRESS OF

VIENNA, 1815
BACKGROUND GUIDE

THE 2015 GREATER WASHINGTON

CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

GWCIA XX NOVEMBER 7, 201

WELCOME FROM THE CHAIR
Dear Delegates,

Greeting from the Greater Washington Conference International Affairs Congress of

Vienna Committee. My name is Detrick Campbell and I will be your chair for the conference. I
am very enthusiastic about the opportunity to lead you all in our topics as the Congress of
Vienna: European Territories and Swiss Neutrality. I am a sophomore majoring in Political
Science and Economic and will hopefully be taking a fifth year to earn my M.A. in Public Policy
or legislative Affairs. This will be my fifth year of participating in Model UN Conferences either
as a delegate or as staff. I have done Model Congress and many different forms of debate,
allowing me to be proficient in many forms of parliamentary procedure. As for this committee, I
expect it to have a causal flow but still be filled with powerful and informed speeches. I expect
every delegate to speak at least once in moderated debate, and to always be conversing with
others during un-moderated debates. If you have any questions, please ask me, your vice
chairs, a page, or any staff member that you may encounter. If you have any question about the
Conference or the topics please email me at dcampbell96@gwmail.gwu.edu .

Best of Luck Delegates,

DETRICK CAMPBELL, CHAIR

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

ABOUT THE CONGRESS OF VIENNA
The Congress of Vienna was a ground-breaking occurrence in international relations.
Before this, the standard for diplomacy was for rulers to send ambassadors to other rulers,
making way for a multitude of
alliances that would not only
contradict each other but also led to
damaging effects on the countries.
The most damaging was that
European countries would fight on
multiple front against many enemies
or enter war immediately after
coming to peace terms from another
country. The Congress of Vienna was a
conference that allowed the
ambassadors of not just countries--
but also some private organisations,
like newspapers--to meet all in one
place. The Congress would become a model for later organisations dedicated to international
cooperation, such as the rest of the Concert of Europe, the League of Nations of 1919, and The
United Nations in 1945.
The actual Congress was held in Vienna, Austria from 1814 to June 1815. It was chaired
by statesman Clemens Wenzel von Metternich of Austria, and was one of the first successful
attempts to gather representatives from different countries and industries for the purpose of
establishing a long term peace plan for Europe. The Congress would be quite successful for
nearly one hundred years until the outbreak of World War I.

Purpose of the Congress

At this time, Europe was reeling from the revolutionary wars that ravaged France to its
incredible transformation into a state with a powerful military that would eventually conquer
many parts of Europe in the Napoleonic Wars. Under the dictatorship of Napoleon, the French
Empire was able to hold it own and gain considerable concession from an array of European
powers. Napoleon spurred cataclysmic changes throughout Europe that the other European
Power feared and wished to reverse. Many of these changes would come from the Napoleonic

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

Code of 18041; this took the special privileges from nobles and churchmen and ended federal
rights. Thus, the Congress of Vienna was convened. It allowed countries to air out grieves that
they had with each other.

Committee Objectives

The Congress Vienna dealt with a multitude of problems from peace negotiations to
resizing Europe. For our conference, this Congress will focus on the redistribution of certain
European Territories and permission and acknowledgements for Switzerlands Neutrality. You
as delegates will have to dictate how township, cities and entire regions will be function as part
of larger spheres of influence held by countries like Spain, France, Prussia (Germany), Austria
and Russia.

i
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
In the 1700s and early 1800s,
Europe had been embroiled into conflicts
not only with outside nations, but also
internally. The Age of Enlightenment was
on the rise with the help of philosophers
like Rene Descartes and John Locke,
where forces, such as economist and
scientists, in Europe pushed for an
emphasise on reason and individualism
rather than the long standing traditions
that existed in Europe from authority
figures like the Catholic Church and
traditional autocracies. This new wave of thinking later inspired the French Revolution2, where

1 French civil code enacted in 1804 used to codify the law of the land instead of having it

divided in to Roman law in the south, feudal/customary laws in the north and canon law
controlling marriage. Encyclopdia Britannica Online, s. v. "Napoleonic Code", accessed August 14,
2015,http://www.britannica.com/topic/Napoleonic-Code.

2 Encyclopdia
Britannica Online, s. v. "history of Europe", accessed August 14,
2015,http://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Enlightenment.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

the people of France rid themselves of their King and Queen. This signalled to the rest of
Europes rulers that they were not untouchable.
In order to combat this, rulers form broad and loose coalitions to engage in counter-
revolutions. These counter-revolutions would take the form of civil wars in some countries or
distractions in others. For example, the United States of Belgium would be born out of the
Brabant Revolution and then suppress by the reestablishment of Austrian control. The same
would happen in the Polish revolt against imperial Russia: an independent Polish state rose
until the Second Partition of Poland in 1793. This would happen all over Europe creating vast
changes in the balance of power in Europe from territorial gains that were unstable.

Napoleons Rise & The
French Revolution

It was not until Napoleons rise
in the French Revolutionary Wars and
leadership in the Napoleonic Wars all
from 1792 1815 that wide spread
fight would disrupt territories in
Europe3. In the 1800s, you will see the
War of the Second Coalition between
Britain and allies against France ended
in 1802 by the Treaty of Amiens.
However, the would fighting one year later continuing the Napoleonic Wars. The reason for
that is Napoleons campaign would push his territory into the Middle East allowing France to
control trade between the west and east on land, which would greatly threaten Britain.
Napoleon would also go on to defeat an allied Austrian-Russian army in 1805 and begin to fight
Spanish force in the Peninsular War from 1808 1814. Many of these battles would see France
collect large amounts of land causing French territory to spread most of Central Europe
reaching from Spain to Russia almost. It would not be until 1812 with the French invasion of
Russia that the war would see a turning point that would lead to Napoleons defeat in 1814.
Now, the Congress of Vienna is called to redraw Europe because of the vast territorial changes
that have occurred.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

TOPIC A: DIVISION OF TERRITORIES
The Congress of Vienna is responsible for the following territories (Refer to the map on the next
page):
The Rhine
Lower Part of Current day Germany that circles around Munich
The Duchy of Warsaw
Part of Eastern Europe stretching from Warsaw to Minsk
The Kingdom of Italy
Central and Northern Italy from Rome to Florence and Venice.
The Kingdom of Naples
Southern Italy
Fermoselle
Major Border city and fortification between Portugal and Spain
Lithuania
North Eastern Europe stretching from Vilnius to Riga.
Luxembourg
A strip of land that separates and acts as a buffer zone for the rest of
Central Europe from France.
Montenegro
A small state that declared independence while Austria was distracted
with the Napoleonic Wars
Ukraine
A vast territory that Germany, Russia and Austria wish to claim as their
own.

Bloc Positions
For this topic, there are two main arguments at play against each other. One side wishes
to keep European powers strong by using these territories as buffer zone to off set each other.
This means reordering Europe to consist of small but large countries that are so that one
country is not particularly stronger than another. The territories would be used as buffer zone
for these large state meaning that the territories can be attacked and conquer but in that time
the main forces of a country will be mobilised. This position is favoured by Prussia, Spain,
Russia, Austria and Portugal and their allies in the Congress.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

 On the other hand, France, Poland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Allies sympathise
with self-determination, which would allow these countries to vote on their options of creating
their own country, join with one of it neighbours or come under the protection of international
cooperation.
Europe after the Napoleonic Wars (Current Division)

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

 Use this map to plan how your country would want the
territories to be divided.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

TOPIC B: SWISS NEUTRALITY
After all the recent fighting in Europe, Switzerland has decided that it no longer wants to
be beholden to European powers and their quest for hegemony. Switzerland wishes to be free
from ever having to war again. Switzerland has asked this Congress to recognise it neutrality in
all future conflicts.
Switzerland has long been a supplier of soldiers and mercenaries to all of Europe and
beyond. They have been crucial in wars past and present. Switzerlands neutrality will greatly
decrease the aid that countries are able to get from Switzerland. The country will no longer
supply men or give safe passage to belligerent or warring countries. However, troops can
willingly leave Switzerland to join an army but not under the Swiss Flag and without Swiss
money.
Switzerland is the oldest neutral country in the world since the Congress of Vienna;
therefore, there are no past action dealing with neutrality. However, neutrality has become
more discussed in recent years and much information can be found in The Hague Convention
on neutrality, which can be found below.

Bloc Positions
Playing in international politics requires allies and partners especially in the game of
Swiss Neutrality. France, Spain, Netherlands, Genoa, the Nordic States (Denmark, Norway,
Sweden, Finland) and Great Britain are for Switzerlands request. These countries wish to
ensure Switzerlands neutrality in order to reduce competition for power and to keep Swiss
markets open for every country.
Conversely, Prussia, Austria, the Italian States and Russia are against it. They continue to
want Swiss Soldiers and money to help them on conquest for territory around the world. Swiss
troops were crucial in helping staff Austrias and Prussias armies in the Napoleonic Wars. The
war cost the lives of many Prussian and Austrian soldiers, the Swiss finance and soldiers will
help bolster their number in case of another attack.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
Topic 1: Division of the European Territories

1. How can we balance European Powers? (Balance of power is when nations have
relatively the same amount, which prevents any one from growing to powerful)
2. How can we contain French aggression but keep it powerful enough to off set other
European Powers?
3. Do we restore royal claims or allow these territories to choose for themselves?
Topic 2: Swiss Neutrality
1. What are the benefits and drawbacks of safe passage and troops from Switzerland?
2. Does Switzerlands neutrality really affect the balance of power in Europe?
3. Who will be in charge of maintaining the balance in Europe and Switzerlands
Neutrality and its effects on the rest of the world?

HELPFUL RESOURCES
Encyclopdia Britannica Online is a great resource for you to look up the Congress of Vienna
and other important information; All of my sources are from Britannica to make it easier for
you all so that you can just look it one plan

Hague Convention (V) Respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case
of War on Land:
http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/peace/docs/con5.html

Swiss Neutrality:
http://www.vbs.admin.ch/internet/vbs/en/home/documentation/publication.parsys.0008.dow
nloadList.9934.DownloadFile.tmp/neuteebook.pdf

How far did the Vienna Settlement contribute to maintaining the peace in Europe in the period
1815-1914? :

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX

http://www.nwcss.edu.hk/subject/history/data2005-
06/student_working/S6A%20(English)/How%20far%20did%20the%20Vienna%20Settlement%2
0contribute%20to%20maintaining%20the%20peace%20in%20Europe%20in%20the%20period%
201815-1914.pdf

The Vienna Settlement: Principles, Criticism and Holy Alliance:
http://www.historydiscussion.net/world-history/the-vienna-settlement-principles-criticism-
and-holy-alliance-world-history/1420

WORKS CITED
Encyclopdia Britannica Online, s. v. "Napoleonic Code", accessed August 14, 2015,
http://www.britannica.com/topic/Napoleonic-Code.
Encyclopdia Britannica Online, s. v. "history of Europe", accessed August 14, 2015,
http://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe/The-Enlightenment.
Encyclopdia Britannica Online, s. v. "French revolutionary and Napoleonic wars", accessed
August 16, 2015, http://www.britannica.com/event/French-revolutionary-wars.
Hague Convention. Respecting the Rights and Duties of Neutral Powers and Persons in Case of
War on Land. International Law from the Hague Convention, Hague , Netherlands,
January 16, 1910.

CONGRESS OF VIENNA, 1815 GWCIA XX