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Mini Guide Congress of

Boston Invitational Model XVI February 10-12, 2017 // bosmun.org MINIGUIDE + Congress of Vienna Start Date: November 1st, 1814

Following 's defeat and his renouncement of the throne in September of 1814, the

state of has been in much disarray over the aftermath of the . In an

attempt to restructure and reorganize the powers of Europe, a congress has been called in

Vienna, . While most European states plan on making an appearance at the

congress, there seems to be a clear alliance already forming between the nations of ,

Prussia, , and Great Britain by nature of the .1 Together these four

powers have deemed themselves instrumental in the defeat of Napoleon. And while they have

reached out to countries such as and , the four view themselves as the

strongest powers to be present at the Congress of Vienna and as such are attempting to

maintain the ultimate control and decision making of the conference.

As the conference delegates begin to convene, opinions over the procedures of how

the congress will abide by are coming into conflict. While Austria, , Russia, and Great

Britain deemed themselves the countries in control of the conference, representatives of

France and other nations of weaker political position, are denying this as a possibility.2

Proceedings have been delayed as a result, but the date is now November 1st, 1814 and the

1 “Treaty of Chaumont” https://www.britannica.com/event/Treaty-of-Chaumont 2 “Congress of Vienna” https://www.britannica.com/event/Congress-of-Vienna

PAGE 2 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA

congress is set to convene and begin debate. The rules of debate and committee have been

decided to let all countries be represented equally and on fair ground with one another.

However, as the congress is composed of individual representatives, each individual delegate

will have an equal vote and say in the committee proceedings. What is to unfold may very well

bring peace unto Europe for decades to come, or result in yet another war.

PAGE 3 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA + Topic 1 Formation of a

Originally it appeared as if nothing could stop the military might of Napoleon Bonaparte in his

conquest of Europe, even overcoming the in December of 1805. With the

territories obtained after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire in August 6th, 1806, in combination

with the territories obtained by the Treaty of Luneville, established a network of

German satellite states to operate beyond the Rhine.3 Napoleon himself, alongside a

committee of princes, redistributed the German territories in such a manner as to reduce

number of autonomous states, but simultaneously prevent any singular state from becoming

too powerful as to provide a threat to France. In this process, both Austria and Prussia gained

territory from the German region, but Austria was still not satisfied. Austria and Russia joined in

a coalition against Napoleon to put a stop to his conquests. But this did not prove successful,

as Napoleon repelled both of the significantly larger armies at the .4

Following the battle, Napoleon organized 16 of the German states into the

Confederation of the Rhine. The Confederation of the Rhine was a vassal state who owed their

3 “Treaty of Luneville” http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/diplomatic/c_luneville.html 4 “Napoleonic Wars: Battle of Austerlitz” http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/napoleonicwars/p/austerlitz.htm

PAGE 4 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA

allegiance to Napoleon, eventually growing in numbers and support.5 This confederation

provided great benefits to Napoleon’s army, providing upward of 63,000 troops. However,

because the confederation was tied to Napoleon’s military success, when he fell so did the

organization.6

The organization of the German states now lies at the discretion of this

committee, whether that be to allow Germany to become its own nation, or to incorporate all

of the German territories amongst the current powers. While some may choose to follow the

ideas proposed by the Treaty of Chaumont, the powers of this committee allow us to override

such an outline. What lies essential to this question is which of the options, or any other,

provides a better opportunity to establish a lasting peace and balance of powers in Europe.

5 “The End of the Holy Roman Empire” http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/end-holy-roman-empire 6 “Confederation of the Rhine” http://www.napoleonguide.com/confed_rhine.htm

PAGE 5 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA + Focus Questions

1) Is there a necessity to unite the German states?

2) What effects does a German confederation have on lasting peace in Europe?

3) What benefits, if any, does a German confederation provide to your nation and you individually?

4) What benefits, if any, does the incorporation of German territory amongst the current powers

provide to your nation and you individually?

5) How can you ensure the stabilization of the German states and its governance in the long

term?

+ Useful Resources

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Confederation of the Rhine.” Encyclopaedia Britannica.

October 1st, 2016. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Confederation-of-the-Rhine

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “German Confederation.” Encyclopaedia Britannica. August

21st, 2008. October 1st, 2016. https://www.britannica.com/topic/German-Confederation

PAGE 6 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA + Topic 2 Ownership of Poland &

In order combat the emergence of yet another European power, the powers of Russia,

Prussia, and Austria divided what was known of “Poland” amongst themselves and prevented

the rise of an independent nation. This, however, did not stop the Polish people from

attempting to revolt and establish a sense of self governance. Between 1797 and 1802 a

number of rebellions called attention to the old commonwealth, but this appeared to no avail

as no Polish nation emerged. 7

Though this may not have been a fruitless effort. Napoleon Bonaparte recognized in

1807 the Duchy of as an independent state of Polish origins. The

became a supporter of Napoleon Bonaparte in return and provided over 98,000 men to assist

Napoleon in his war efforts. Following the fall of Napoleon, the Duchy of Warsaw still stands

and currently under the control of Russia8 In a similar fashion, the stood

by Napoleon as the Duchy of Warsaw had. While Russia took control of Warsaw, Prussia

gained influence in Saxony.9

7 “The Three Partitions, 1764-95” http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/pl-history-partitions.htm 8 “Duchy of Warsaw” https://www.britannica.com/place/Duchy-of-Warsaw 9 “Saxony” https://www.britannica.com/place/Saxony-historical-region-duchy-and-kingdom-Europe

PAGE 7 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA

The question now stands of after the Napoleonic wars, what to do with the current

ownership of the Duchy of Warsaw, the Kingdom of Saxony, and the territories of Poland?

While many claim that the current powers of the region should maintain control of these

disputed territories, such as Russia gaining Warsaw and Prussia gaining Saxony, others fear

this will give undeserved influence to the respective nations. The efforts of the Congress of

Vienna seem fitted to not only end the current period of war that Napoleon inflicted upon

Europe, but to also ensure war does not return to the region for years to come. Plausible

solutions for the maintenance of peace seem divided on how to distribute power evenly

amongst the existing parties at the Congress. However, the option still stands to allow a Polish

nation to arise of its own accord.

PAGE 8 MINIGUIDE CONGRESS OF VIENNA + Research Questions

1. Are the current claims to Poland and Saxony lawful?

2. What influence would the addition of Poland and Saxony bring unto a current power?

3. Could Poland and or Saxony become an independent European power?

4. How can the Congress of Vienna ensure that its decisions are maintained after the

conference concludes?

+ Useful Resources

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopaedia. “Saxony” Columbia University Press. October 2nd,

2016. http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/world/saxony-history.html

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Duchy of Warsaw.” Encyclopaedia Britannica.

September 30th, 2008. October 2nd, 2016. https://www.britannica.com/place/Duchy-of-

Warsaw

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