The Congress of Vienna

The essential question of the class was, what should people in power do when power is threatened? This question was asked in connection with the Congress of Vienna which was formed to solve problems between countries in Europe. To inform ourselves of the Congress, we read a background reading about what happened during the meetings of the great powers in Europe and who was represented. We also looked at a map of Napoleon's conquered land and there was another reading about the new problems each empire would have to face, and their goals they would like to accomplish. 

What should people in power do when power is threatened? The Congress of Vienna sought out to retain their power of their nation and wanted to stop revolutions from happening. For one, they devised the Holy Alliance. This said that monarchs had a divine right and any revolution was treason and against god. In the 1800's religion had even more of an impact than it had today, and by saying that if you were to go against the monarchy then you would be going against god. This was a very big deal, and frankly still is which is why this was put in place to hopefully stop threats against their power. By having the major powers (except for England, Protestant) partake in this meant that anyone going against the monarchy would be condemned to hell, which in theory stop the people from an uprising. 

I don't think it was the best thing for the Congress of Vienna to create the Holy Alliance because I feel that it would only make the people madder. If I was revolting and they told me that if I went against the monarchy I would be going against god I would rebel even more. Just because you have royal blood doesn't mean that if I go against you that I should go to hell. I feel that a better way to react was to give the people what they want so that they listen to you more after you have fulfilled their wants. I think the powerful should be willing to sacrifice some of their own power in most circumstances if it makes sense, if that's what is needed to help the people.