Congress of Vienna guided more by ideals and principles than national interest

The members of the Congress of Vienna in 1815 were guided by ideals and principles far more than by national interest. The Congress was a conference that included representatives of almost every European nation. The main participants in the international conference were the four major powers of Europe at the time, Austria(the hosts), Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain. Each of these nations were represented by a high ranking official of their respective country; Austria was represented by Prince Klemens Von Metternich, Russia by Alexander I, Prussia by Prince Karl August von Hardenburg, and Great Britain sent Lord Casterleagh. Though it was expected that France would have no power or large amount of say in any of the proceedings, their representative Charles Talleyrand managed to get his country an equal say in most cases. As a whole, this congress and its representatives were gathered to remake Europe after the fall of Napoleon I, and to safeguard the continent against anyone ...