Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) on October 1, 1818

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Medal of Congress of Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) on October 1, 1818. CONCORDIA INTER CHRISTIANOS EUROPAE PRINCIPES PACTA. Rev: AQVIS CAROLI MAGNI MENSE OCTOBRI MDCCCXVIII by Brandt. Bronze 50mm. Participants Russia, Prussia, Austria and Great Britain, with France as observer.

 

 

This Congress was called by the Allies, who still had their troops in France, to decide if the time was ripe for the soldiers to leave France.

 

The congress convened in Aachen on October 1, 1818. It was attended in person by the Emperor Alexander I of Russia, the Emperor Francis I of Austria, and Frederick William III of Prussia. Britain was represented by Lord Castlereagh and the duke of Wellington, Austria by Prince Metternich, Russia by Counts Capo d'Istria and Nesselrode, Prussia by Prince Hardenberg and Count Bernstorff. The Duc de Richelieu, by favor of the Allies, was present on behalf of France.

 

The evacuation of France was agreed to in principle at the first session, the consequent treaty being signed on October 9. The immediate object of the conference being thus readily disposed of, the time of the congress was mainly occupied in discussing the form to be taken by the European alliance, and the "military measures," if any, to be adopted as a precaution against a fresh outburst on the part of France. The proposal of the emperor Alexander I to establish a "universal union of guarantee" on the broad basis of the Holy Alliance, after much debate, broke down on the uncompromising opposition of Britain; and the main outcome of the congress was the signature, on November 15, of two instruments: a secret protocol confirming and renewing the Quadruple Alliance established by the treaties of Chaumont and Paris (of November 20, 1815) against France, and a public "declaration" of the intention of the powers to maintain their intimate union, "strengthened by the ties of Christian brotherhood," of which the object was the preservation of peace on the basis of respect for treaties.

 

This explains Europa holding Charlemagne's Palace Chapel of Aachen in her hand and the latin reference to Waters(spa town Aachen) of Charlemagnes Measures(treaties).