Consequently, as the Congress deliberated, the exiled Napoleon Bonaparte returned and reclaimed the throne of France to the delight of her people and once again plunged Europe into war. Granted, the allies emerged from the struggle militarily victorious, but could not halt the democratic principles and enthusiasm spread by the French armies throughout Europe, which later provoked radical changes through civil strife. Their measures conceived amidst denial, proved devoid of considerations for the common person, and they imprudently believed they would successfully restore the aristocratic hegemony that Napoleon and his armies fought intrepidly to destroy. However, the Congress predicated their efforts and subsequent resolutions on mid-eighteenth century political philosophy. According to Nancy Stockdale, historian Pavel Murdzhev, validates this impression by suggesting the Congress of Vienna “served as a foundation that simultaneously maintained a long-term balance of power, yet failed to recognize the burgeoning spirit of nationalism that would ultimately upset the peace of Europe.” The Congress, which convened ambassadors from every nation, city-state or principality in Europe that joined in the two and one half decades of near constant hostilities, determined to reach accords to prevent a future major continental war. The Congress of Vienna 1814-15, also known as the “Concert of Europe”, succeeded in establishing the foundation for enduring peace between nations in post-Napoleonic Europe but failed to sufficiently address the rising sense of popular nationalism inspired by the ideals of Revolutionary France.
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