Final answer:
The Congress of Vienna sought to restore conservative order and balance of power in post-Napoleonic Europe. It aimed to prevent France from dominating again, restore old monarchies, and suppress revolutionary influences. The outcomes were a redrawn map of Europe and a collective system to maintain peace and stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
How the Congress of Vienna Sought to Impose a New Order in Europe
The Congress of Vienna, which took place from November 1814 to June 1815, aimed to restore peace and order post-Napoleonic Wars by reverting to pre-revolutionary political structures and containing French power. The key figures, such as Klemens von Metternich, advocated for the restoration of conservative monarchies, maintaining stability, and suppressing revolutionary movements. France was treated as an equal partner in the peace process, rather than being punished severely, to avoid further destabilization. The Congress redrew Europe's political map, yet the new conservative order ignored the rise of nationalism and liberalism, sowing seeds for future unrest.
The Congress primarily sought to:
- Re-establish the balance of power to prevent any single nation from dominating
- Restore the previous borders and monarchs overturned by Napoleon's conquests
- Set up a system to suppress future revolutions and maintain the conservative order
This balance of power was maintained through what became known as the Congress System or Concert of Europe, where the great powers would work together to uphold these conservative ideals. Despite the short-term success in establishing political stability and peace, the disregard for growing nationalist and liberal sentiments eventually led to increased tensions.