Why do you think the Allies didn't "dismember" France territorially after their victory in 1815?

[Julie4]

He could simply wipe France off the map.

[RavVid]

Well the 7th coalition's goal was still to restore the Bourbon monarchy and put Louis XVIII back in charge. It hadn't worked the first time but was bound to work the second time around; particularly if Napoleon was given accommodation in the South Atlantic.

France was occupied by allied troops but French reparations were paid quicker than expected and the occupation discontinued. There were French territorial concessions and an ambassadorial supervision of France. Overall it was done on a 'we're all chums together' basis.

The primary goal of the Concert of Europe & Congress of Vienna was to prevent war and make Europe a safe place for monarchs again and restrain revolutionary movements. Containing France was a major objective too.

Directly to the question of why wasn't there dismemberment of France, well Talleyrand was there negotiating. Possibly it was thought if France was split up the various powers would not be balanced and hence future wars were more likely and it was against the key objectives. I don't have any evidence for that but I think it most likely.

[RyanEC]

I did wonder this myself when learning history.
Britain could have decided to reclaim France as legitimate hairs to the throne (such as during 100 years war.) but instead choose to give power back to their ancient enemies the Bourbon Dynasty.


I guess it would be too much of a pain like you said.

[purplepoppy]

Would the French stop being French because you changed their name? Even if you broke up the country the individual areas would still consider themselves French then you've got several problem territories to deal with. Keep France as one and it's easier to deal with.

[Julie4]

And I think the allies didn't want any French on their territory, they've always been too much of a pain in the ass 😂

As one humorist put it, "France, what does? You take the world's least governable peoples, mix them together and you've got France. "

[KostasKouvalis]

Having been to former French colonies, I can confirm that this 100% true.

[Andres77]

And fewer cheeses to have to remember.

[KostasKouvalis]

That humorist post is actually kind of true. I saw a YouTuber joke that your national sport is protesting😂

[Jackblue]

Because their main goal was to restore the French Royal family their wars with Revolutionary France were ideological, ending the idea that it was ok to overthrow and behead nobles. If they didn't treat the French Royal Family with respect they would undermine their own cause.

[Joshydavid25]

I think because the War was more fought against Napoleon and not France itself.. In fact I read somewhere that they were simply trying to squash the French revolution and restore France to the Monarchy that it was..

[KostasKouvalis]

I don't even know what you're talking about, but they probably thought it was too beautiful and culturally rich to wipe

[Julie4]

But where were you during your history lessons? 😂

[KostasKouvalis]

It's been ages since I took history. I only had one history teacher in grade school that talked about events that didn't involve the U. S. We did learn about Napoleon and the Napoleonic Wars, but I don't remember the details. I just remember 'cuz my friend would always say his name with a French accent😂

[Julie4]

😂😂

[RyanEC]

You know you can learn history by yourself outside the education system right.

[Avicenna]

LOL, the French would not have been willing to speak anything but French!