The goal of the Congress of Vienna was not simply to restore old boundaries but to resize the main powers so they could balance each other and remain at peace. What did Great Britain gain? How did these decisions impact less powerful countries, such as Spain, Norway, and Portugal? How do you think merging these jurisdictions might influence the future consolidation of Germany into one state? Note Russia's gains in Poland in light of what you have learned about the Partitioning of Poland. Pay attention to what happened to the German states, which previously existed as independent kingdoms. Read this article to explore how the Congress participants reorganized the borders of their respective countries. Great Britain gained control of more colonial territory, while Russia exerted its control over Poland. For example, Italy was divided into eight parts, while 300 German states were consolidated into 39. The main objective of the Congress of Vienna was to reorganize Europe, as the major powers negotiated to divide the territories Napoleon had defeated among themselves. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, an ally of Britain during the War of 1812, also sent representatives. Interestingly, the negotiators initially excluded France from the discussions, but Talleyrand-Périgord was soon able to assert his presence to take part. While inferior powers such as Spain and Portugal were invited to send representatives to the Congress, Britain, Russia, Austria, Prussia, and France made the major decisions. Russia was dually represented by Count Karl von Nesselrode (1780–1862) and Tsar Alexander I (1777–1825). Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord (1754–1838), the French foreign minister, represented the newly-instated King Louis XVIII (1755–1824). Prince Metternich represented Austria, and Prince Karl August von Hardenberg (1750–1822) represented Prussia. Britain's foreign secretary Robert Stewart (1769–1822), whose formal title was Viscount Castlereagh, and Arthur Wellesley (1769–1852), the first Duke of Wellington, represented Great Britain. The prominent dignitaries and leaders of the day attended the Congress of Vienna.

Map europe before congress vienna