Introduction

Introduction to the Model Congress of Vienna

PURPOSE
This simulation will recreate the Congress of Vienna in 1815 after the fall of Napoleon at Waterloo, and will allow the students the opportunity to practice their research, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills in an historical setting. The simulation will also provide the students involved the opportunity to “rewrite history.” This exercise will be run by members of the International Relations Club.

Great Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria, France, …

It is apparent from this roll call of trouble spots that--now more than ever--the United Nations sits squarely at the center of the most pressing issues in the international arena. Its troubles are windows on the world’s troubles: its debates and actions trace the currents of power, tension, and Cooperation between nations. Now YOU can use your skills, knowledge, and experience to seek creative solutions to historical and modern global conflicts and establish a secure foundation for the future in the Pine Crest Model United Nations and Model Congress of Vienna.

But how does a Model Untied Nations work? First, a Model United Nations or Congress of Vienna begins with the presentation of a set of issues to be discussed. Next, delegates select a country to represent at the conference. Each delegate then prepares a document presenting the position of the assigned county on the issues, and makes an oral presentation of those issues using the established rules of debate and procedure. The delegates then attempt to come to an agreement about the issue through debate and negotiation. Once an agreement is reached by a majority of the conference, a resolution is passed representing the policy statement of the body as a whole. It’s simple: Role-playing, Research, Rules, and Resolutions.

BACKGROUND
Despite their preoccupation with Napoleon during the Hundred Days in the spring of 1815, the Allies and the lesser powers met on June 9 to sign the Final Act of the Congress of Vienna (the Second Peace of Paris). This treaty encompassed previously concluded agreements and other measures, together with new arrangements worked out in the Congress itself. Most of the provisions of the Final Act can be subordinated under the headings of “Legitimacy,” “Security,” (Balance of Power) and “Compensation,” which were the three major principles that dominated the Congress.

The Congress of Vienna was held in order to draw up a plan to alter Europe politically and territorially so as to prevent the extensive expansion of any one great power, such as that Napoleon had brought about. Creating a balance of power among the powerful nations of Europe, reinstating conservative regimes, containing France, and reaching an agreement to cooperate with each other were the goals of the Congress, which illustrated the unselfish attitude of the national representatives present and supported the overall purpose of preventing future widespread conflict. National interest was modified for the sake of the general interest of Europe.