Congress of Vienna 1814

Congress Of Vienna Assignment

Alexander I of Russia

Alexander I of Russia is described by both King and Wikipedia as a handsome young tsar with an insatiable sex drive[1] who had a celebrity like status. Wikipedia gives a broad view of Alexanders life touching on all the major events in his life from his rise to the throne to his mysterious death but provides little detail. While King seems to focus mainly on Alexanders actions immediately proceeding and during the Congress of Vienna. According to both sources there were many controversies in the life of Alexander from the role he played in his fathers murder to the thoughts that he faked his own death[2].

Robert Stewart, Viscount Castlereagh

Robert Stewart according to both sources was the Foreign Secretary for Great Britain and he represented Britain at the Congress of Vienna. He was seen largely by both sources as a mediator at the Congress of Vienna seeking only to maintain the balance of power. They credit him with establishing the Congress System[3] which is viewed as precursor to economic and political unions such as the EU or NATO[4]. Stewart had a controversial political history according to both Wikipedia and King they cite his duel with another member of parliament in an attempt to settle a dispute[5][6]

Friedrich von Gentz

According to both Wikipedia and King Friedrich von Gentz was the Secretary of the Congress of Vienna and the long time assistant of Prince Metternich[7]. When introducing Gentz, King states that because of his “talent and his own pushy efforts”[8] he was able to get in the middle of everything. Wikipedia elaborates on that by going into detail explaining the exactly what he did to become so successful. One of the rumors that was prevalent the time was that he made up the “von” part of his name to sound more aristocratic.[9]

Jacob Grimm

Jacob Grimm was the co-author of “Grimm’s Fairy Tales” which was published shortly before the Congress of Vienna[10] and...