--- title: Map of Europe in 1815 and the The Vienna Settlement: The Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16713/map-of-europe-in-1815-and-the-the-vienna-settlemen/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2026-07-07 --- # Map of Europe in 1815 and the The Vienna Settlement: The Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of Europe in 1815 and the The Vienna Settlement: The Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16713.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16713.png) ## Image Caption The Congress of Vienna (September 1814–June 1815) was a major diplomatic settlement that sought to rebuild [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/) after more than two decades of revolutionary and Napoleonic [warfare](https://www.worldhistory.org/warfare/) (1792–1815). Led principally by Austria, Russia, Great [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/), and Prussia, and later joined by a restored France, the Congress did not simply return Europe to its pre-1789 borders. Instead, it combined dynastic restoration with pragmatic territorial adjustment, creating the German Confederation (1815), strengthening the Kingdom of the Netherlands as a buffer against France, expanding Prussia into the Rhineland and parts of Saxony, confirming Russian influence over Congress Poland, and restoring Austrian dominance in northern [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/). The settlement was tested almost immediately by [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://www.worldhistory.org/Napoleon_Bonaparte/)’s return during the *[Hundred Days](https://www.worldhistory.org/Hundred_Days/)* (March–June 1815), after his first abdication as Emperor of the French (reign 1804–1814; 1815). His defeat at Waterloo (18 June 1815), shortly after the Congress’s Final Act (9 June 1815), led to the Second [Treaty of Paris](https://www.worldhistory.org/Treaty_of_Paris_of_1783/) and the Allied occupation of France (1815–1818), but it did not overturn the Vienna order. Although criticized for suppressing liberal and nationalist movements, the Congress of Vienna created a durable balance-of-power system that shaped European diplomacy throughout the 19th century and helped prevent another general great-power [war](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/War/) until 1914. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2026, July 07). Map of Europe in 1815 and the The Vienna Settlement: The Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Europe in 1815 and the The Vienna Settlement: The Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order." *World History Encyclopedia*, July 07, 2026. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of Europe in 1815 and the The Vienna Settlement: The Congress of Vienna and the Post-Napoleonic Order." *World History Encyclopedia*, 07 Jul 2026, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 07 July 2026. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.