The Congress of Vienna met between September 1814 and June 1815 to re-draw the map of Europe in light of what appeared to be the end of the Napoleonic Era. In actuality the Battle of Waterloo occurred shortly after the Final Act of the Congress however this did not significantly alter the agreements reached in Vienna.
From a philosophical standpoint the main function of the Congress was predicated on restoring the necessary Balance of Power as a safeguard against future instability on the Continent. In terms of overall scope the agreements reached represented the largest treaty yet in western history.
The key powers involved at the Congress were the Big Four (although there many smaller players) - Austria, Great Britain, Prussia and Russia.
Klemens von Metternich represented Austria on behalf of Emperor Francis II while Karl von Hardenberg was the voice of the Prussian Kaiser Frederick Wilhelm II. Tsar Alexander I negotiated on behalf of Russia with British Foreign Minister, Viscount Castlereagh representing His Majesty's Government. Napoleon has been exiled to Elba and replaced by the restored Bourbon monarch Louis XVIII who sent Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand to forward French interests.
Klemens von Metternich - A key player at the Congress of Europe. Source: thefamouspeople.com
Charles Maurice de Talleyrand - A chameleon like figure who had a knack for survival (he escaped both the ramifications of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars)
Source: the famouspeople.com
An unfortunate feature of the Congress was the infighting. The Big Four looked to dominate the Congress but Talleyrand safeguarded France's position by appealing to some of the Congresses smaller players.
One area that created much friction was the division of German territory with a Prussian/Russian alliance clashing with a French/British/Austrian grouping. Nevertheless a great deal of territorial compromise did take place if we juxtapose the map of Europe in 1812 to that after the Congress of Vienna.
Before Vienna the map of Europe looked something like this.
Europe in 1812 source: www.britannica.com
After Vienna it had changed to what is shown below.
Europe in 1815 source: www.britannica.com
In short Russia obtained control of Poland but surrendered Galicia to Austria. Prussia lost territory in Saxony but was compensated elsewhere in Germany (they also took over Swedish Pomerania). The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed joining together the United Provinces and Belgium. Austria now had control of Lombardy and Venice in Italy and other regions of Southern Germany. A confederation was put in place in Germany although it was not very strong and Switzerland was granted a new constitution.
In the Italian sub-continent Piedmont's position was strengthened with their influence extended to Genoa. The Papal State was returned to the Pope ending a turbulent time in the history of the Church that in 1809 had seen the annexation of the Papal States by Napoleon and the imprisonment of the Pope.
Politically the Congress of Vienna sought to roll back the hands of time (in a sense it was reactionary). It favored the Big Powers and took a harsh stand against both nationalism and liberalism. While it did ensure a certain degree of stability in the content for the next forty years, the agreements reached would ultimately be shaken by the Revolutions of 1848 but more importantly by the Italian and German Unification drives that would feature prominently later in the 19th century.
Source: https://www.diplomacy.edu/resources/general/persuasion-through-negotiation-congress-vienna-1814-1815
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