In a world of constant weapons races and power struggles it is intriguing to understand how countries in close proximity to each other are not always at war. When this constant threat of war fills our daily talk and news it is important to look back on what it takes to keep nations balanced. Henry Kissinger in 1956 was intrigued by the intimacies and mechanisms of how the balance between powers occur. He looked more specifically at the Congress of Vienna, reported on what it took for Europe to establish a framework for the country relationships. Although his paper explores the factual events that took place, he looked at what happened on a deeper level as well. On this deeper level we find what he believes to be what allowed the Congress of
…show more content…
Essentially; Russia, Prussia, Britain and Austria attempt to settle all their negotiations on their own. Through many memoranda and attempted alliances the negotiations end up driven into a stalemate. In this stagnation one of Kissingers biggest points can be seen. There is an equilibrium that must be reached in order for the Congress to be a success. What he points out is that the Big Four do not start off with the same equilibrium. The Congress is almost like an equation in which both sides of it must be equal. This has to do with the relative security and insecurity of the countries, the power relationships, or similar domestic structures. It is essential that Kissinger pointed out that it is impossible to get to a perfect equilibrium. It is seen through further discussion that in the end an equilibrium is accomplished but it is not perfect. As the big four continued to drive themselves into a stalemate, Kissinger brings to attention that France was not yet apart of the equation. Prussia attemped to threaten war against Europe as their dilemma of dealing with Saxony and Poland pushed them. Along with the pressure of Prussia the differences of the Big Four out-weighed the fear of France and it is taken out of seclusion. With the power of France brought into the equation, many deals were able to be made amongst all the Congress. The only meeting of the Congress of Vienna took place on June 9th,
Essentially; Russia, Prussia, Britain and Austria attempt to settle all their negotiations on their own. Through many memoranda and attempted alliances the negotiations end up driven into a stalemate. In this stagnation one of Kissingers biggest points can be seen. There is an equilibrium that must be reached in order for the Congress to be a success. What he points out is that the Big Four do not start off with the same equilibrium. The Congress is almost like an equation in which both sides of it must be equal. This has to do with the relative security and insecurity of the countries, the power relationships, or similar domestic structures. It is essential that Kissinger pointed out that it is impossible to get to a perfect equilibrium. It is seen through further discussion that in the end an equilibrium is accomplished but it is not perfect. As the big four continued to drive themselves into a stalemate, Kissinger brings to attention that France was not yet apart of the equation. Prussia attemped to threaten war against Europe as their dilemma of dealing with Saxony and Poland pushed them. Along with the pressure of Prussia the differences of the Big Four out-weighed the fear of France and it is taken out of seclusion. With the power of France brought into the equation, many deals were able to be made amongst all the Congress. The only meeting of the Congress of Vienna took place on June 9th,