In 1815, representatives of the European powers such as Britain, Russia, Prussia and Austria who had collectively defeated Napoleon, met at Vienna to draw up a settlement for Europe.
The Congress was hosted by the Austrian Chancellor Duke Metternich.
The delegates drew up the Treaty of Vienna of 1815 with the object of undoing most of the changes that had come about in Europe during the Napoleonic wars.
The Bourbon dynasty, which had been deposed during the French Revolution, was restored to power, and Francelost the territories it had annexed under Napoleon.
A series of states were set up on the boundaries of France to prevent French expansion in future.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands, which included Belgium, was set up in the north. Genoa was added to Piedmont in the south.
Prussia was given important new territories on its western frontiers. Austria was given control of northern Italy.
The German confederation of 39 states that had been set up by Napoleon was left untouched.
In the east, Russia was given part of Poland while Prussia was given a portion of Saxony.
The main intentionwas to restore the monarchies that had been overthrown by Napoleon, and create a new conservative order in Europe. Conservative regimes set up in 1815 were autocratic.
They did not tolerate criticism and dissent, and sought to curb activities that questioned the legitimacy of autocratic governments.
Most of them imposed censorship laws to control what was said in newspapers, books, plays and songs and reflected the ideas of liberty and freedom.