The Congress System

In the years following 1815, the four great powers, Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia, agreed to hold periodic conferences to discuss matters affecting the Vienna Settlement 1814-1815, and to discuss the maintenance of order in Europe which was destroyed by the Napoleon Wars which lasted for over 20 years.
In the year 1789, the French revolution broke out, a series of revolutionary wars began, leading to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. By 1808, Napoleon had gained control of almost all of Europe.
During his reign, the reforms he carried out weakened the old absolute monarchies and helped to spread the powerful forces of liberalism and nationalism. However, because of his conquests, the Balance of Power in Europe was destroyed.
After the defeat of Napoleon in the Battle of Waterloo 1814, the great allied powers Britain, Russia, Austria and Prussia f...