Weaknesses, Negative Impact And Failures Of The Vienna

Weaknesses, Negative Impact And Failures Of The Vienna

SETTLEMENT

2. Unrealistic methods in countering further French aggression

The Vienna settlement used unrealistic methods to prevent further aggression from France. States that were culturally, historically and religiously different were forcefully amalgamated to form buffer states. This was the case with Holland and Belgium which formed the kingdom of

Netherlands. The Belgians were forced against their will to be under Dutch control. This provoked file Belgians to revolt in 1830 which destabilized Europe from 1830 up to 1839 when the Belgian neutrality and independence was declared.

However, to another extent the unrealistic methods used in countering French aggression was justifiable. This is because the smaller states were individually too weak and vulnerable to stand against Napoleonic/French aggression. It was therefore very easy for Napoleon to 'step' on them and cause more chaos in Europe. To this extent, one can exonerate the peacemakers because through such measures, they prevented French aggression and restored peace, which were impossible before 1815.

The big powers are further accused of being too much concerned about further French aggression that they forgot the fact that one of them could also become aggressive. They were therefore absent minded that they did not safeguard aggression from within themselves. Instead, they over strengthened Prussia that enabled Prussia and later Germany to embark on aggression against France in 1870 and the whole world that caused the two world wars.

2. Neglect of Liberalism and Nationalism

The Vienna settlement ignored the forces of Liberalism and Nationalism that were sweeping across

Europe. The settlement disregarded the plight of oppressed nations like the Finns, Italians, Serbs and Poles who wanted to regain their independence. It even went ahead to impose foreign control over the smaller states. For example, the Italians and Germans were subjected to Austria's control which led to the 1830 and 1848 revolutions. Poland was shared between Austria, Russia and Prussia which forced the Poles to revolt in 1.830 and 1863. One can argue that the Vienna settlement boomeranged in its attempt to prevent the spread of revolutions simply because it underrated and ignored the forces of Liberalism and Nationalism.

3. The principle of Legitimacy and the restoration of oppressive, dictatorial and tyrannical rulers.

The principle of Legitimacy was ignored where it did not appeal to the interest of the allied powers. For example, legitimate rulers in Poland, Finland, Denmark and Belgium were not restored. Worst of all, the principle of legitimacy made the "Vienna Tyrants" to restore and protect oppressive, dictatorial and tyrannical rulers such as the Bourbon monarchy in France, Ferdinand I of Naples and Ferdinand VII of Spain. Consequently, there were revolutions against the restored rulers e.g. Ferdinand VII of Spain 1820's and the Bourbons in 1830. It can therefore

be said that the principle of legitimacy apart from being partially achieved, became a catastrophe to Europe in the long run.

4. The 1814 constitutional charter

The 1814constitutional-charterthat the settlement provided to France was not totally fair to her. It narrowed the Franchise (voting power) by making property qualification the criteria for voting. It made only about 100,000 Frenchmen out of a total population of 29 million eligible to vote. The charter also gave the king powers to nominate members of the chamber of deputies. All these made the French parliament to be dominated by the propertied (wealthy) nobles, clergy and middle class to the disadvantage of the peasants. Apart from France, the Vienna peace makers did not provide the charter to other restored rulers. For instance, the Pope in the Papal State, Victor Emmanuel I in piedmont, Ferdinand I in Naples and Ferdinand VH in Spain were all restored to their former thrones without the constitutional charter. One can therefore blame the Vienna settlement for imposing unrealistic constitutional charter on France and ignoring the need for a constitutional rule in other areas where kings were restored.

5. The confederation parliament

The confederation parliament in the German states was inadequate in meeting the expectations of the Germans. The parliament was instead used by Mettemich and Austria to exploit, oppress, dominate and divide the Germans. These were easily accomplished because Mettemich was vested with powers to appoint the president of the parliament whom he used to influence parliamentary proceedings to Austrian advantage. This, apart from undermining the right of the Germans to a fair parliamentary representation, kept the Germans divided, frustrated the unification process and helped to consolidate Mettemich and Austrian dominance and oppression of the Germans.

6. In-balance of power

The balance of power that was achieved was defective since it was for the four big powers at the expense of the smaller powers. The independence of smaller nations were undermined and they were dished out to the big four in order to balance their power. Even amongst the "big four", the balance of power favoured Austria and Britain compared to Russia and Prussia. In other words,

Britain and Austria over balanced their powers at the expense of Russia and Prussia. This means that die balance of power was a myth and not a reality.

7. The status of France

France was undermined and belittled as one of the great powers in Europe by the Vienna peacemakers. Though France sent Tallyrand as her representative at the congress of Vienna, he was initially ignored and treated with contempt. Much as Tallyrand maneuvered his way though tactical diplomacy, the Vienna congressmen imposed severe consequences on France. For instance, the quadruple powers subjected her to a heavy war indemnity of 700 million francs, an army of occupation, reduced her boarders to those of 1790 and restored the Bourbon monarchy back to power. All these, belittled and isolated France within the ranks of great powers up to 1818 when she was readmitted at the congress of Aix la chapalle.

8. Instability in the smaller states

Although the Vienna settlement restored general peace in Europe, there was no peace to small nations. The congress was dominated by the big powers and the smaller states did not take part in the decision making process. Worst of all, they were forcefully dominated by the big powers. This became a major source of unrest in Europe from 1820 to 1871 when the Italians and Germans unified.

9. Self Interest

Self-interest of the major powers was a fundamental weakness of the Vienna congress. Britain wanted to grab more colonies and continue with her policy of isolation, Russia was interested in dominating the Ottoman Empire and expanding in the Balkans. Austria's interest was to dominate the Italians and Germans. It explains why there were a lot of conflicts over distribution of territories most especially between Russia and Prussia. This undermined common interest that the Vienna settlement was to defend.

I0.Inadequate level of Economic co-operation

Economic co-operation that was revived was not a whole sale achievement. Britain continued with her policy of isolationism and jealously guarded her areas of economic influence. The free navigation on international waters never survived for so long. This is because Britain dominated these waters at the expense of other powers and Russia was later prohibited from using such waters for navigation. Surplus production due to industrial revolution also made countries to embark on protectionism rather than free trade policy.

11. Russian imperialism

The Vienna settlement attracted Russia into European affairs, which intensified her ambitions to dominate the Ottoman Empire. Russia was granted the Grand Dutchy of Warsaw, Bessarabia, parts of Saxony, which became a security threat to other powers most especially Britain and

Austria .This brought more tension and conflict within the Ottoman Empire that led to wars such as the Greek war of revolt and the Crimean war. These were precisely because the settlement had drawn Russian interest from the East to central and Western Europe.

12. Failure to involve the Ottoman Empire

On the other hand, the Vienna Settlement ignored Turkey and Ottoman Empire, which led to violent events that constituted the Eastern Question. By 1815, the Ottoman Empire was a vast heterogeneous empire with many smaller nationalities that were undergoing oppression, exploitation and persecution by the Sultan of Turkey. The Ottoman Empire controlled key religious, strategic and economic areas that were very significant to other powers in Europe.

However, the congress of Vienna neither involved nor considered the fate of Ottoman Empire leading to violent events such as the Greek war of independence, Syrian question, Crimean war and the Balkan wars of 18754878. One can argue that if the Congressmen had addressed the problems in the Ottoman Empire, such violent events would have been averted.

13. Promulgation of Metternich’s era of Conservatism, 1815-1848

The Vienna settlement elevated Mettemich and his unpopular system that ushered man era of conservatism from 1814-1848. Prior to 1815, Mettemich's influence was confined to the Austrian empire. However, in 1815, Mettemich exploited the Vienna Settlement and dominated European affairs using his conservative anti liberal policies. He manipulated the Vienna settlement not only to dominate other races e.g. Italians, Germans and Hungarians, but the entire continent of Europe.

His conservative policies in Europe undermined political freedom, nationalism, rights of association, press, worship etc. These brewed discontent that was responsible for the outbreak of revolutions such as those of 1820, 1830and 1848 in Europe.

14. Delayed the unification's of Italy and Germany

The Vienna settlement created more divisions and disunity in Europe which delayed the unifications of Italy and Germany; It legalized Austria's control and influence over the Italian and German states. This blocked the unification of both nations and led to more violent movements that undermined peace in Europe. Ironically, the very powers assisted the Italians and German's in the unification process. This is the reason why the Vienna congress is sometimes called an absurd gathering.

15. Collapse of the congress system

Although the Vienna settlement gave rise to the congress system, it is blamed of laying a very Weak foundation that contributed to the downfall of the congress system. It implemented very unpopular aims and objectives which the congress system was to defend. These include the restoration of unpopular legitimate rulers and forceful amalgamation of states against their interest.

The settlement therefore laid a fake foundation for the congress system and charged it with an impossible task that made its collapse a foregone conclusion (inevitable).

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