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.
Each
Delegation will be responsible for researching and writing a short position
paper on the issues involved from the point of view of the assigned country.
The position paper must include a resolution to the issue it is
addressing. An original map of Europe must also be completed. Participation in the simulation, the Position Paper
(and Resolution), as well as the original map of Europe will be graded at the
discretion of the teacher.
Great
Britain, Russia, Prussia, Austria, France, …
You
may choose
from the following list of member nations of the Congress of Vienna; France,
Great Britain, Austria, Russia, and Prussia.
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.
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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 “Security,” (Balance of
Power), “Legitimacy,” 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.
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TOPICS
SECURITY
(Balance of Power)
Under
the principle of “Security,” the states near or adjacent to France were
enlarged to prevent any possible future aggression on the part of that country.
Thus Holland and Prussia were given new territories; and Switzerland was
perpetually neutralized and given additional regions on the French frontier.
LEGITIMACY
“Legitimacy” involved the restoration of dynasties
deposed during the Napoleonic period, among which were the restoration of
Bourbon lines to the thrones of France, Spain, and the Kingdom of the Two
Sicilies, and the House of Orange to the throne of Holland.
COMPENSATION
The
principle of “Compensation,” besides embracing the territorial provisions
made under “Security,” included new Russian, British, and Austrian
territories. The territorial
provisions of the Second Peace of Paris were based on the boundaries of France,
as they had existed in 1790.
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REQUIREMENTS
Key elements of the
project are as follows:
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Position Paper and Resolution on Security (Balance of Power) |
· The underlying criteria and
philosophies in dealing with the establishment of the borders of all
European states must
be ironed out in an organized position paper.
· A
well-thought out system of borders must be formed in a resolution,
containing as few potential problems and as much equality between all
countries as deemed necessary (specifically state the hierarchy of your
chosen criteria (e.g., national claims to territory, language, religion,
resources, ...) in the order of preference you choose)
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Position Paper and Resolution on Legitimacy |
· The underlying criteria and
philosophies in dealing with the re-establishment of the legitimate rulers of
all European states must be specified in an organized position paper.
· An
orderly listing of legitimate rulers from the appropriate dynasties must be
stated in a resolution,
consistent with the new borders and states created and delineated in the
first resolution.
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Position Paper and Resolution on Compensation |
· The
underlying criteria and philosophies in reimbursing nations that had
sacrificed lives and resources to defeat Napoleon must be decided upon in an
organized position paper.
· A
structured listing of states deserving of compensation, and an explanation
as to why each state is receiving such reparations must be established.
Furthermore, the specifically designated territories, colonies, and/or
countries awarded to each state must be explained as well.
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Map |
· A detailed map must be included
to visually display the borders of your new and improved Europe.
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Format |
· The correct format must be used
to demonstrate organized thinking and professionalism.
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Credits |
· A section describing the amount
of work each individual has contributed to the project.
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