What did conservatives focus on at the congress of Vienna?

The Congress of Vienna, which took place from September 1814 to June 1815, was a major diplomatic conference held in Vienna, Austria, with the primary goal of reorganizing Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and the downfall of Napoleon Bonaparte. The congress was attended by representatives from many European countries, including major powers like Austria, Russia, Prussia, the United Kingdom, and France. Conservatives played a significant role in the proceedings, and their focus at the Congress of Vienna centered on several key objectives:

1. Restoration of Monarchies: Conservatives at the Congress were committed to the restoration of the pre-Napoleonic monarchies and the traditional political order that had been disrupted by the French Revolution and Napoleon's conquests. They sought to return legitimate monarchs to their thrones, including the Bourbon monarchy in France and various royal houses in other European states.
2. Balance of Power: Conservatives aimed to establish a stable and enduring balance of power in Europe to prevent any single nation from becoming too dominant, as had happened during the Napoleonic era. This balance was seen as a way to maintain peace and stability on the continent.
3. Territorial Adjustments: The Congress of Vienna involved significant territorial adjustments. Conservatives sought to redraw the map of Europe, taking into account both the territorial losses and gains that had occurred during the Napoleonic Wars. The objective was to ensure that the distribution of territories was consistent with the interests of the major powers and the restoration of monarchies.
4. Legitimacy: The principle of legitimacy was central to conservative thinking at the congress. It emphasized the importance of recognizing legitimate rulers and governments. The idea was that legitimate monarchs should be restored to their thrones, while any revolutionary or Napoleonic changes should be reversed.
5. Preservation of Existing Orders: Conservatives were generally opposed to radical political and social changes. They sought to preserve the existing social and political orders in their respective countries and to suppress revolutionary movements and liberal ideals that had gained momentum during the French Revolution and Napoleonic era.
6. Reparations and Compensation: Conservatives discussed the issue of reparations and compensation for the damages caused by the Napoleonic Wars. France, in particular, was required to pay reparations to other European states.
7. Suppression of Nationalism: The Congress of Vienna was not sympathetic to nationalist movements or aspirations. Conservatives aimed to suppress nationalist sentiment and maintain the existing multinational empires, such as the Austrian Empire and the Russian Empire.

It's important to note that while conservatives played a dominant role in shaping the outcomes of the Congress of Vienna, the congress itself was a complex diplomatic event involving various interests and ideologies. The decisions made at the congress had a profound impact on the political landscape of Europe for decades to come, setting the stage for the post-Napoleonic era and the subsequent development of nationalist and liberal movements.