|
|
After the downfall of Napoleon, a series of congresses was called to solve the potential problems. The so-called concert of Europe is a term used to describe the Powers working together to maintain peace. Yet, the interpretation of keeping peace of the three dominant Powers, namely Austria, Russia and Britain, was more than different. In terms of Britain, peace was to be maintained by keeping the balance of power and avoiding the upset of Vienna settlement, what Britain concerned most was her trade. Russia¡¦s peace was an aristocratic peace, putting down the revolution was inevitable. Austria shared the same view as Russia. Their increasing differences were exposed in the congresses which were doomed to break down at the very beginning. It must be noted that once any Power decided not to work together, the concert of Europe would come to the end. The congress of Vienna was a successful one in achieving a unanimous agreement in the issue of how to maintain peace. The reason behind this was that there was still a common enemy Napoleon.
|
