Congress system
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The Congress system is a diplomatic process adhered to between 1815 and 1822, under which all matters of international importance were discussed at meeting of all European powers in order to ensure uniform action on the part of all concerned. The creator and great proponent of this system was the Viscount Castlereagh.
The system was established in the Congress of Vienna and led to the subsequent Congress at Aix-la-Chapelle in 1818, Congress at Troppau in 1820, Congress at Laibach in 1821, and the Congress of Verona in 1822.
The last congress was held in St. Petersburg in 1825 but by then the system had broken down and was virtually useless.
Social aspects of the Congress.
During the congresses only the "Big Five" (Britain, France, Prussia, Russia and Austrian Empire) had any power the rest of the delegates had plenty of time. This allowed the congresses to be the most sparkling social events in European History, with brilliantly uniformed emperors, kings, princes, ministers and ambassadors attending to the lighter pursuits of dancing and love-making between the more serious bussiness of discussion, intrigue and spying. The bills for the entertainer were enormous and cost the Austrian Emperor, the main host, a fortune.