The concert of Europe refers to a group of countries that came together to form an alliance geared towards creating a power balance as agreed during the Vienna Congress (Ellis 19). The alliance started in 1814. However, it was dissolved in 1914 following the outbreak of World War I and the rise of nationalism. The countries that made up the alliance’s membership were Russia, Austria, the United Kingdom, and Prussia (Lowe 92). The four countries had already achieved success in Germany by defeating Napoleon. Although the alliance did not have a constitution, they had agreed that any member had the right to call for a conference in case a crisis that needed urgent attention arose.
The main reason for forming the concert of Europe was the need to control France, which had become a nuisance after several years of war. The main threat caused by the involvement of France in wars was the quick spreading of liberalism to various countries across the continent (Ellis 28). Therefore, the four countries found the need to come together in order to maintain the status quo. One of the main factors that contributed to the success of the concert of Europe was a provision in the Act of the Vienna congress that required eight signatories for any of the existing boundaries to be changed (Lowe 117). This meant that France did not have any other choice other than to reduce its dominant influence and agree to work with the other countries.
Works Cited
Ellis, Charles. The Origin, Structure & Working of the League of Nations. California: The Law Book Exchange Ltd., 2003. Print.
Lowe, John. The Concert of Europe: International Relations 1814-70. New York: Hodder & Stoughton, 2009. Print.