The Congress of Vienna which met at the ancient capital of Austria in 181415 to redrew the map of Europe after the fall of Napoleon, drafted and signed a great many of treaties to settle the affairs of the Continent.

Though this Congress was attended by a number of atates the major deci­sions were made by the five great powers-Russia, Austria, Prussia, Eng­land and France.

In these treaties the Congress showed a natural ten­dency to reward those states which had opposed Napoleon and to penalize those who had supported him. While taking these decisions the Congress took care of interests of sovereigns of various States without paying any attention to the wishes and aspirations of the people.

The statesmen at Vienna were primarily concerned with the establishment of lasting peace and thought that this could be achieved by restoring, as far as possible, the old ruling dynasties and redistributed territories and peoples in such a way as to make a better ‘balance of power’. The great powers also formed the Concert of Europe to suppress radical ideas and preserve peace.

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They agreed to meet at regular intervals to maintain peace in Europe. They sought to achieve this by suppressing revolutionary movements which could lead to war or overturn the settlement of Vienna. No wonder, the leaders of major powers tried to curb liberal ideas and imposed numerous restrictions on people. In Austria the government resorted to policy of censorship.

All foreign books entering the country were examined at the customs houses to ensure that liberal ideas did not creep into the country. In the universities the government spies were posted in lecture rooms to ensure that the professors did not propagate dangerous ideas.

The stu­dents were forbidden to hold public meetings for the discussion of political or religious questions. On the other hand, they were required to attend Church and go to confession. Thus the government in Austria tried to curb liberal and democratic ideas.

In Germany also liberal activities were sought to be curbed through the Carlsbaad Decrees, which provided for the abolition of all unauthorized student societies, introduction of strict censorship of the press in every German State; and establishment of a government agent at every German university to supervise the lectures of professors and activities of students.

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In England also, where freedom of speech and press had prevailed for many centuries, the Conservative government adopted repressive policy. It tried to suppress the demand of the labourers for grant of right of vote with the help of troops.

In 1817 the government suspended the Habeas Corpus Act which had protected the English people against arbitrary arrest and imprisonment for over a century. In 1819, the government passed six acts, which are popularly known as Gag Laws by which it curbed freedom of speech, press and public discussion.

Similarly in other countries of Europe also, the rulers tried to suppress liberal and democratic ideas and establish reactionary rule.