Congress of Vienna Brief description of the positions of the negotiators

Metternich:

You are worried about the Russian influence in Poland and Central Europ, as well as on Prussia and Prussian King Frederick William III. You would like to annex Galicia, Tarnopol and Cracow. Saxony must remain independent. You cannot agree with Prussian domination in western Germany and thus in fact oppose the Hardenberg's proposal. For you, either both Austria and Prussia would function as Wacht am Rhein, or Mainz and Palatinate should be allocated to Austria-friendly Bavaria. You insist on Salzburg. Your real main attention is Italy, where you have already secured Lombardy and Venetia per treaty. Nearly all Austrian troops have stationed in Italy, and very little in Germany. You have troops neither in Poland nor in Rhineland, nor in Northern Germany. You would like to secure Austrian Domination in German Confederation and entertain good relationships with minor German states, especially Bavaria, Baden, Württemberg and Hannover and have enjoyed large support of the catholic Majority in Rhineland. Furthermore you have enjoyed highest trust of your Emperor, Francis I of Austria and have good working relationship with Castlereagh and Hardenberg, you have established contact with Talleyrand, your opponent is Russia. Castlereagh:

You are 'Foreign Minister' in the cabinet of Liverpool from the Conservative Party. You strongly believe and try to convince your ministerial colleague that the United Kingdom must be actively involved in the establishment of the post-war order in Europe, which must be based on the principle of 'just equilibrium' and a strong and peaceful Germany. You would like to limit Russians influence in Central Europe by supporting a strong German Confederation and want at least either Prussia or Austria to assume the function of Wacht am Rhein. You therefore also support an independent Poland. You have large influence on Hannover and the newly created Netherlands, thanks to the dynastic connections. For you, a strong Germany can be achieved if Austria and Prussia truly cooperate to maintain a balance of power and peace, and are ready to agree on territorial concession in Germany to both powers. France should be limited in latitude too. Your opponent is primarily, however, Russia. The British troops have been stationed in the Netherlands. The UK is the largest financial contributors to the war.

Hardenberg:

Your primary task is to secure the possession Prussia has gained in the partitions of Poland, to annex the Kingdom of Saxony and to receive, as compensation if suffering some loss in Poland, a part of western Germany including Palatinate and Mainz. If it comes to the point where Prussia has to choose between Saxony and Rhineland, it would opt for Saxony due to liberal and catholic sentiments in western Germany and geographical reasons. You are ready to cede Nuremberg, East Frisia and the north-eastern part of Bavaria. You are ready to cooperate with Metternich and Castlereagh, you have very good relationship with Russia, but oppose Talleyrand. Your effective troops stand on the left bank of the Rhine, in Palatinate and Mainz and in the Netherlands, some are also in Saxony. You enjoy good relationships with some minor German states, such as Brunswig, Mecklenburg-Schwerin, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, and the Netherlands as well. Talleyrand:

You insist on the principle of legitimacy, and therefore also on the independence of Saxony. You are ready and willing to join the Committee of the Four, making it Committee of the Five, as your main interest is to regain recognition of France as a great power, which deserves trust and a place in the future concert of Europe. Although some allies are ready to permit your participation in the Committee, this decision must be taken by all four powers. Prussia, Austria and Russia are keen to limit French power as much as possible due to military defeats suffered under Napoleon and French military potential. Alexander I despises your King Louis XVIII. As French territory has already determined, your main territorial interest is to prevent both Austria and Prussia on the left bank and instead a second-ranked German power such as Bavaria. Thanks to Napoleon, Frances economy is still on of the healthiest amongst all the parties.

Alexander I:

You have strengthened your position already by conducting the negotiations by yourself. Moreover, you have good ties with Francis I and Frederick William III. At this stage, your opponents are Castlereagh, Metternich and to some extent Hardenberg, who is to somehow afraid of the Russian influence in Prussia, Your troops have occupied Paris and are stationed in the Northern and Central parts of Germany, the greatest number, however, in Poland and Saxony. You wish to gain as much territory in as possible; especially the cities Warsaw, Thorn and Cracow are of great interest for you. You are acquainted with liberal ideas of constitutionalism, but do not want to reveal any plan concerning the future administration of Poland. You usually support Prussians endeavours on territories of Germany, in the hope that Russia will receive Prussian Poland.