European powers gathered in Vienna to redraw the continent's political map after Napoleon's defeat in the spring. The Congress of Vienna, a grand diplomatic affair, brought together prominent figures like Tsar Alexander I of Russia, King Frederick William III of Prussia, and Metternich, the Austrian chancellor. They aimed to establish a new balance of power, punish France, and restore the pre-Napoleonic order. The Congress became a hub of intrigue, with diplomats and royalty negotiating borders, alliances, and territories. The outcome would shape European politics for decades to come.