WMIDMUN XIV
February 19-21, 2016
Congress
Of Vienna
Letter from the Director
Delegates,
Welcome to WMIDMUN XIV! My name is Molly Dinneen and I am delighted to be the
director for your committee, The Congress of Vienna, this weekend. This is my first year here at
the College of William & Mary and in the coming year I intend to declare International Relations
as my major.
Just like many of you, I’m fairly new to Model United Nations. I joined MUN in college
having never participated in the organization in middle or high school. Growing up in Northern
Virginia, I was always intrigued by Model United Nations and was determined to hit the ground
running in college. In the fall I was a delegate at the Duke International Security Conference and
served as a Rapp at the William & Mary High School MUN Conference. In addition to the
International Relations Club, I am also an avid runner and member of William & Mary’s
Running Club. I’m excited to race in my first half-marathon the weekend after WMIDMUN. Be
sure to wave hello if you see me running around campus during the conference!
As mentioned earlier, I have the pleasure of serving as your director for The Congress of
Vienna Committee. I intend to make this committee as historically accurate as possible, both in
time period and in regards to your positions. I’m excited to hear your more traditional methods
for combating nationalist movements and restructuring territorial borders. Even though it may be
old-fashioned, I am determined to make this committee energized and thought provoking.
Just as a reminder, position papers are required for each position. It is expected that there
is one per delegation. Guidelines for the position papers can be found on the WMIDMUN
website. I look forward to meeting all of you in February and discover your solutions to
redefining European territories and ensuring international peace.
Sincerely,
Molly Dinneen
Director, Congress of Vienna
[email protected]
Congress of Vienna
idea of war as a sport of kings was overtaken by the
Background
It is now September 1814, the eve of our
concept of Total War—the unrestricted use of
historic meeting. The European states have finally
weapons, territory, combatants, and objectives.
come together to prevent future conflict and
Feelings of nationalism grew due to less
promote peace. In a coup following the French
differentiation
Revolution, Napoleon seized power, crowning
military
himself dictator in 1804. Using his previous
unification of many states. By now many European
military experience, Napoleon let his ambition
nations are adopting dark green and brown
drive his desire to expand French territory. During
uniforms in place of the regal and bright uniforms
his initial reign, Napoleon reintroduced aristocracy
of the past. 1
to French society by assigning titles of nobility to
between
personnel
noncombatants
which
and
strengthened
the
To balance the power of Great Britain
his friends and family to ensure their loyalty.
Napoleon formed the Continental System, a group
Napoleon established a continental empire
of European nations that were dependent on the
by defeating all of his opponents except for Russia
French Empire. In 1806 Napoleon responded to a
and Britain. This meant that overpowering him
British
required a massive joint effort between the major
Continental System embargo on Britain through
powers of Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Britain.
the Berlin Decree. All communication and trade
Their mutual recognition for the imminent French
between Great Britain and members of the
threat drove these nations to form an alliance. The
Continental System was forbidden. However, this
conflict between the Great Powers and France was
blockade was largely ineffective at reducing the
embodied in the Napoleonic Wars. Although the
power
fighting was not constant, European nations
circumnavigated through Russia, Spain, and the
engaged in bloody battles between 1799 and 1814.
Americas.
naval
of
blockade
Great
by
Britain
establishing
as
trade
a
was
Throughout this period of hostility the
He was successful in his expansion until an
methods of warfare evolved and modernized. The
invasion of Russia in 1812. Napoleon led a large
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Congress of Vienna
army into Russia following their withdrawal from
Topic One: Redefining Territorial Borders and
his Continental System. Additionally, France was
Colonial Holdings
fighting Spain and Portugal in the Peninsula Wars.
New configuration of German states
Nearly half a million soldiers participated in the
Between 1795 and 1814 the German states
Battle of Leipzig last October (1813) which
went through a series of secularizations and
marked the turning point of the Napoleonic Wars.
mediatizations.
Less than 100,000 of Napoleon’s initial 600,000
transformation of a society from basing decisions
troops returned to France. 2
on religious values to nonreligious values.
Secularization
refers
to
the
In March 0f 1814, the Great Powers of
Mediatization is the process of annexing foreign
Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Britain drafted the
lands under a new monarchy. In regards to
Treaty of Chaumont, connecting them in their
Germany, mediatization was the transfer of
attempts to remove Napoleon. They sensed a
sovereignty from small states to their larger
weakness in the French empire that could be taken
neighbors. 4
advantage of through a joint effort. In this treaty
The Holy Roman Empire encompassed the
they promised to work together until France’s
Kingdom of Germany from the early Middle Ages
military and political leader was defeated. In the
until 1806. Since the Thirty Years Wars the number
Treat of Fontainebleau (April 1814) Napoleon
of German states has been slowly decreasing due to
capitulated for the first time. 3
mediatization so that by the onset if the French
The Great Powers invited their European
Republic there were only 200 remaining. This
neighbors to gather in Vienna to discuss territorial
kingdom consisted of a decentralized monarchy
borders, the establishment of new states, and the
composed of numerous subunits with de facto
prevention of war.
sovereignty. However, the Holy Roman Empire
dissolved following the Battle of Austerlitz due to
the victory of Napoleon.
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Congress of Vienna
At the demise of the Holy Roman Empire,
In 1805 Napoleon established the Kingdom
the French established the Confederation of the
of Italy with himself as king and Eugene de
Rhine
This
Beauharnais as his viceroy, or a representative of
confederation consisted of German client-states
the monarch with ruling authority. At its formation,
under
are
the Kingdom of Italy consisted of the Duchy of
political entities that are economically, politically,
Milan, Duchy of Mantua, the province of Novara,
and/or
therefore
portions of the Papal States in Romagna, and a
dependent on, a more powerful international ally.
small piece of the Republic of Venice. In the Treaty
During the 6 Wars of Coalition the French empire
of Pressburg, Austria surrendered additional
united additional German states under Napoleon’s
Venetian territories while in the Convention of
rule.
Fontainebleau France and Austria exchanged
in
the
French
Treaty
of
supervision.
militarily
Pressburg.
Client-states
subordinate,
and
While participating in the Congress of
territories again. In 1808, the Kingdom of Italy
Vienna, delegates must decide the proper course of
annexed the Republic of Ragusa and present-day
action surrounding the evolving sense of German
Marches. Throughout the beginning of the 19th
nationality. Sovereignty, supreme and absolute
century the Italian borders were in constant flux.
authority, would allow the Germanic people to
The Kingdom of Italy was a dependency of French
create laws and establish rules that directly
Empire; therefore following Napoleon’s demise,
correlate to their individual needs. As a part of the
the members of the Congress of Vienna must
extensive French empire they were forced to
determine the sovereignty and territorial borders of
comply with regulations aimed at a much larger
the Kingdom of Italy. 5
and more diverse population. Allowing for
Prussia & Austria
Germanic nationality would enable people with
Prussia is a German kingdom established in
common ancestry, language, and culture to come
1701 following the War of Spanish Succession.
together and regulate themselves.
Throughout the 18th century Prussia was involved
Borders of Italy
in
numerous
wars
within
Central
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Europe.
Congress of Vienna
Following the War of First Coalition, Prussia and
In 1806 Francis II dissolved the Holy Roman
France created the Treaty of Basel stating that the
Empire in response to the creation of the
French would assure the Holy Roman Empire’s
Confederation of the Rhine. The fall of the Holy
neutrality in portions of central Europe. Listening
Roman Empire increased the French influence over
to Napoleon’s demands, Prussia invaded the
the Austrian people. The Congress of Vienna must
British dominion of Hanover. Great Britain
decide how Austria should align itself in the
retaliated only after Prussia aligned with a coalition
international realm. We must determine whether
of pro-French powers. After the dissolution of the
Austria should be given additional territories and
Holy Roman Empire Prussia turned against the
regional influence.
French Empire. However, this caused Prussia to
Compensation
lose half of its territorial holdings, including the
Following the demise of French Empire
lands gained during the partitions of Poland. It is
many countries are seeking to regain the territories
the responsibility of the Congress of Vienna to
lost in Napoleon’s conquest. Other countries desire
decide how to reward Prussia for its participation
to be repaid for all their expenses fighting the
in the defeat of Napoleon.
French. The Congress of Vienna must decide the
The Austrian Empire was founded by Holy
extent to which France must repay its neighbors for
Roman Emperor Francis II in reaction to
war damages and how much territory should be
Napoleon’s announcement of the French Empire.
redistributed to the surrounding nations.
Austria and parts of the Holy Roman Empire
Questions to Consider:
fought against France and its German allies in the
Delegates, remember to consider these questions in
Third Coalition. In the Treaty of Pressburg the
a 19th century frame of reference.
boundaries of German states and Austria were
1. Would the establishment of a sovereign
reorganized thus weakening the power of Francis
German state promote stability in Europe?
II. Additionally, Austria was forced to renounce
any claims to German states under French control.
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Congress of Vienna
2. Should Prussia regain the territory captured
The “French Period” over the German
by Napoleon and how should it be
states fostered unity and nationalism. The
reorganized?
occupation by the French Revolutionary Army
3. How
should
France
be
encouraged solidarity among the natives. The
restructured
occupation encouraged anti-French feelings and a
following the demise of Napoleon?
4. How did the continually changes of the
desire for sovereignty. Napoleon attempted to
Italian borders impact the sense of unity
impose the French language on the Rhineland
among the native people?
which intensified the German opposition. The
5. How did the lack of participation in the
distaste for French control intensified the Germanic
Confederation of the Rhine effect Austria’s
desires for repayment in the forms of sovereignty
international relationships?
and monetary compensation following the fall of
Napoleon.
Scandinavia
Topic Two: Nationalist Movements and the
Although there was no direct contact with
Establishment of New States
Configuration of German states
France, the revolution promoted the discussion of
The French Revolution encouraged the
liberal reforms for the Kingdom of Denmark.
stimulation of democratic and liberal ideas within
During the beginning of the 19th century the slow
the German states. While the German states were
political reformation was directed by liberals. Up
originally in favor of the French Revolution and
until now, the start of the Congress of Vienna,
occupation, eventually hostility grew which
reform has been promoted by the regime even
promoted German nationalism. German Jews
though the changes are weakening absolutism.
significantly benefitted from the revolution in
Members of the Congress of Vienna must decide
France. The economic, agrarian, and legal reforms
whether to help liberalize the Kingdom of
helped eliminate Jewish ghettos.
Denmark or whether to strengthen the existing
monarchy. 6
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Congress of Vienna
triggered the French Revolution have the potential
Poland
Throughout history, relations between
to transform the future. From members of the Third
France and Poland were predominately positive.
Estate, French commoners, to Napoleon, the
The marriages between monarchs connected the
French countryside saw many different rulers
Poles to the French Enlightenment. During Polish
during the beginning of the 19th century. Members
attempts at liberation France was more of an
of the Congress of Vienna must determine which
international ruse than genuine concern. Within
governmental structure is best for France.
Paris, Poles promoted the separation of rival
Additionally, you must consider the extent to
factions among themselves. These factions varied
which the liberal reforms of the revolution will
on their level of desire for political independence.
impact the peoples’ appreciation for and respect of
After several years of prosperity the Polish-
a strong central government.
Lithuanian Commonwealth underwent a series of
Spain and Great Britain were aligned in
three partitions. In the end of the 18th century
their fight against France due to the Second Treaty
Russia, Prussia, and Austria divided up the territory
of San Ildefonso in 1796. However, the alliance
between themselves. It is the responsibility of the
began to falter after the loss of the Battle of
Congress of Vienna to determine whether to
Trafalgar (1805) which forced Spain to join the
recreate a Polish state, redistribute the current
Continental System. Napoleon took advantage of
partitions, or keep the present partitions in place.
Spain’s weaknesses, a frail political system and a
Restoration of Monarchs
faltering economy, by positioning soldiers in
From 1789 to 1799 France underwent a
Spanish territory to prepare for an invasion of
period of political and social upheaval known as
Portugal. The abdication of King Charles IV was a
the
revolutionaries
result of the mutiny of Aranjuez caused by the
overthrew the monarchy, establishing a republic
unpopularity of the presence of the French troops.
through violent struggles that led to the dictatorship
Napoleon chose to recognize his brother, Joseph
of Napoleon. Many of the liberal concepts that
Bonaparte, as king of Spain instead of Charles IV’s
French
Revolution.
The
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Congress of Vienna
son Ferdinand VII. With the demise of Napoleon
Questions to Consider:
the Congress of Vienna must determine the
Delegates, remember to consider these questions in
legitimate ruler of the Spanish empire. It is the
a 19th century frame of reference.
responsibility of the Congress of Vienna to decide
1. Is the liberalization of states beneficial to
whether to remove Napoleon’s brother from the
the stability of Europe?
2. Will
throne and restore rule to the House of Bourbon in
the
restoration
of
pre-French
Revolution monarchs ensure balance of
Spain.
power in Europe?
In 1809 Klemens von Metternich was
named Foreign Minister of Austria. Metternich is
3. Do all nations, groups of people that regard
opposed to revolution and liberalism, believing that
a certain place as their homeland, deserve
absolute monarchy is the best solution. The
statehood, sovereign control by a single
Congress of Vienna must determine whether to
government?
support Metternich’s views to reinstall monarchies
Topic Three: Methods for the Prevention of
across
War and the Stability of Peace
Europe
or
to
support
the
states’
The previous equilibrium was broken-18th
democratization.
Many nations are determined to mitigate
century because of Napoleon’s dictatorship. After
potential conflicts due to nationalist movements
watching Napoleon conquer much of the European
brewing throughout Europe. European nations
continent many states are not eager to see another
must decide if the restoration of traditional
single nation rise to such a power. Dignitaries may
governments and monarchs will quell these
encourage a balance of power through the creation
uprisings. Additionally, dignitaries will consider
of new nations and the redistribution of territory.
whether the consolidation of confederations will be
Members of the Congress of Vienna may
useful in instilling peace in the region.
use historical precedents to determine the best
course of action. In 1713 the Treaty of Utrecht was
a series of peace treaties between Spain, Great
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Congress of Vienna
Britain, France, and Portugal ending the War of
ensure peace. Dignitaries should decide if the
Spanish
general will of Europe is more important than what
Succession.
These
treaties
brought
they feel their country is owed.
attention to the importance of international
recognition of the monarch and the security of the
Following the French Revolution and the
line of succession. At this time the nations realized
Napoleonic Wars, European nations are not eager
the necessity of mutual recognition of leadership
to engage in future combat. The European nations
and power to ensure domestic stability. Delegates
are inclined to set up a framework for European
must consider these issues when determining the
international politics that would secure stability
legitimacy of current and future European rulers.
throughout
These treaties reduced the hegemonic ambitions of
nationalism and still influential ideas of revolution
France while preserving the European balance of
the Congress of Vienna must determine how to
power. 7 Members of the Congress of Vienna may
prioritize national and international conflicts.
deliberate on the various methods of reducing the
Dignitaries will formulate methods for the
power of France.
prevention of war to promote regional peace.
the
region.
With
the
brewing
In order to discourage future hegemons,
Members of the Congress of Vienna should
members of the Congress of Vienna should
consider multiple options for the promotion of
consider the creation of buffer zones. Buffer zones
future international and national peace. As a
are simply zonal areas between two or more areas
method for ensuring international peace, members
to reduce the likelihood of conflict or prevent
should consider collective security.
territorial expansion. Through the redistribution of
security is a coalition based strategy where nations
territory and the creation of new states the
agree not to attack each other and are obligated to
Congress of Vienna can prevent potential conflicts
fight against any aggressor to a member of a
in Europe. European nations must consider the
coalition. Delegates should consider whether the
priority of their national territorial interests in
establishment of international organizations would
relation to the stability of the international realm to
be beneficial to international stability. Within each
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Collective
Congress of Vienna
nation there are varied views regarding the most
to establish and maintain peace. From Orthodox to
effective form and size of government. In addition
Catholicism, throughout Europe states’ religious
to state relations in the international community,
beliefs effect the formation of their political
delegates must decide how to ensure the support of
agendas. Dignitaries must determine how to
their citizens to prevent civil conflicts.
interact with other states in the international realm
In 1789 the French Revolution moved
while remaining loyal to their national beliefs and
against the use of slavery. In the prior years, France
agendas.
obtained slaves from the Caribbean colonies to
Questions to Consider:
improve their sugar industry. Slavery was finally
Delegates, remember to consider these questions in
abolished in French territory in 1794, however,
a 19th century frame of reference.
1. Is
Napoleon reestablished the industry because of the
hegemonic
power,
like
that
of
economic value. On the other hand, Britain
Napoleon’s, beneficial to the stability of
introduced a campaign to end slavery in the
Europe?
beginning of the 19th century. Motivated by the
2. What is the best way to create peace among
religious differences?
desire to undermine France and a religiously moral
obligation to freedom, Britain attempted to spread
a. How did the secularization of
their ideas about the abolition of slavery around the
Germany, thus the reduction of
world. It is the responsibility of the Congress of
religious
Vienna to determine the legality of slavery and
security of peace?
slave trade. Should slavery be abolished all
influence,
necessity
while the trade and transfer of slaves be prohibited?
separate nations?
Should the decision be left up to individual states?
military
force
to
the
b. Do religious differences create the
together? Should the practice of slavery be allowed
From
effect
for
the
creation
of
3. Will reducing French power ensure a
balance of power in Europe?
diplomatic
negotiations, states have different ideas about how
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Congress of Vienna
References
1
Dugdale-Pointon, t(16 November 2000), Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815),
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_napoleonic.html
2
"Napoleon Bonaparte." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 27 Dec. 2015.
3
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