key term - Congress of Vienna

Definition

The Congress of Vienna was an international conference held from 1814 to 1815, aimed at restoring stability and order in Europe after the turmoil caused by the Napoleonic Wars. It established a framework for international diplomacy that would influence European politics and maintain peace for nearly a century.

Related terms

Balance of Power:

A principle in international relations that aims to prevent any one country from becoming too dominant by balancing its power against that of other countries or alliances.

Legitimacy:

In the context of political science, legitimacy refers to the general belief that a government has the right to govern or rule, often restored through agreements like those made at the Congress of Vienna.

Concert of Europe:

An informal agreement between major powers in Europe after the Congress of Vienna, designed to maintain the balance of power and address any potential disputes through diplomacy rather than war