BMUN LXIX VIENNA

Constitutionalism, best defined as a Locke and Machiavelli inspired idea believing that government is best functioning when limited in its powers by the existence of a mandated constitution, was a primary political theory present and debated prior to, during, and following the Congress of Vienna. Theorists who believe in the supremacy of constitutionalism as a political theory support a style of government that abides by a constitution, prioritizes a separation of power, adheres to the sovereignty of their citizens and of their democracy, and is amenable to review by a judiciary branch, among other similar characteristics.  The relevance of constitutionalism to the Congress of Vienna, and in turn to our committee, is that alongside the rise of liberalism, constitutionalism became a popular political theory among members and relevant actors in the Congress and in Europe at large. For example, Prince Metternich of the Austrian delegation was staunchly against constitutionalism in fav...

  Hi everyone! My name is Nadia Kazempoor and I will be one of your Congress of Vienna vice chairs for BMUN LXIX this year. I am a freshman studying Political Science, with a concentration in International Relations but my academic interests range from history to journalism to rhetoric and linguistics. Also, fun fact: this is my 5th year in MUN, but the 1st year I won’t be competing myself.  Outside of BMUN, I am also in a pre-law fraternity on campus called Phi Alpha Delta, active in the Iranian Students Cultural Organization, and a member of the sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. As for more hobbies, I love yoga, books, fashion, art, and most tasks that allow me to be creative! If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at nadiakaz@berkeley.edu Best,  Nadia Kazempoor  P.S. If you’re into astrology, I am a quintessential Aries :p

               Esteemed delegates, honorable chairs, welcome to the Congress of Vienna at BMUN 69! My name is Andrew Reynoso; I am a sophomore studying physics and I will be your head chair this year! I selected these topics because I am increasingly alarmed by the setbacks democracy has suffered across the globe this year, and believed the Congress of Vienna was an excellent avenue to explore a crucial time in history where the modern economic engine and democratic process were constructed. I hope you find this subject as interesting as I do and push yourselves to think critically about the questions posed. Outside of MUN, you can find me studying quantum mechanics, lifting weights, and performing atomic interferometry research as I await the day Nintendo drops a second trailer for the Breath of the Wild sequel. Any preguntas can be sent to areynoso@bmun.org . Best, Andrew Reynoso

  Hi Delegates!  Welcome to CoV! My name is Justin Qu and I'll be serving as one of the vice-chairs. I am currently a junior double majoring in Computer Science and Economics and this will be my 6th year participating in MUN. Aside from MUN, I like to work on video-editing and rush through new Netflix releases. Now that everything is remote, I mostly watch lectures at home three weeks after I'm supposed to do so. I used to say that my hobby was procrastinating, but now it's my full-time job. If you have any questions (or memes you want to send me), please feel free to contact me at jqu@bmun.org! See you soon, Justin Qu

The War of Spanish Succession was the result of a struggle between major powers in Europe to install the next monarch in Spain after the death of Charles II, who was childless. The wholesale acquisition of the Spanish Empire by a single nation would greatly upset the balance of power in Europe. Before his passing, Charles II appointed his successor to be Phillip V, the grandson of Louis XIV. This, however, opposed a prior arrangement made between England, the Dutch Republic, and France to install Charles VI, the second son of the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold I, and gift Spain's Italian territories to Austria and France. It is interesting to note that these deals were already being made while Charles II was alive, indicating that the other European nations were already worrying about the potential fallout of a new royal monarch in Spain far before Charles II' death. This proposed treaty would have effectively partitioned Spain and maintained the balance of power by dividing its te...

Distinguishing Between Topic A and Topic B: To clarify, Topic A should primarily center on territorial divisions and war. International action should be tailored to discussing developments in territory or war. Proposed solutions should solve the issue of territorial distribution and a plan of perpetual peace (a system to prevent war distinct from the Utrecht system and Concert of Europe in at least one meaningful way). The issues are as follows:  -Italy: Address the fate of Naples and advocate for a specific ruler for the Duchy of Parma -Germany: Propose the basic outline of a constitution to bind German states.  -Propose a military alliance, list basic principles, basic procedure, and major member states, or advocate against one. Our committee will open with the Polish-Saxon crisis concluded as it was settled historically, so a solid understanding of its resolution is a must! Topic B should primarily center on preventing revolutions. International action should discuss r...

Greetings delegates! I am ecstatic to have finally departed the cataclysm that was 2020 and enter a new world of hope with BMUN 69. With our conference approaching, I thought it best to discuss what the dais would prefer to see in terms of historical accuracy. One of the problems this committee, and historical committees more broadly, can pose is that the dais must balance known historical factors with a plan to stimulate innovative thinking. Having deliberated, this is how we have decided to grade delegates in our committee with regard to proposed solutions. First and foremost, our main criteria in evaluation is the quality of ideas and the breadth of knowledge underscored in your proposed solutions. In particular, for those seeking greater appraisal, the dais will search for an understanding of events that occurred after the Treaty of Paris in 1815. The historical accuracy of your character’s statements and ideas will be judged secondly. This is not to suggest that you completely ign...

Alexander I , the Tsar of Russia and an undoubtedly powerful man in Post-Napoleon Europe, had much to gain from the Congress of Vienna. Russia’s crucial role in pushing back Napoleon backs the considerable influence Alexander wielded. Poland was one of the top priorities for Alexander at the conference; he wished to claim it as a kingdom under the rule of Russia. Alexander had similar intentions for Saxony as well, despite pushback from Prussia. Alexander viewed himself as a friend to the liberal movement, despite his autocratic streaks in domestic and foreign policy. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Périgord, a s the Minister of Foreign Affairs, acted as the chief representative from France in the Congress of Vienna. A sharp and shrewd negotiator, Talleyrand and his strength in diplomacy and political intrigue were put to the test while working under Napoleon, and, later on, against him. Talleyrand hoped to reverse France’s unenviable position as a defeated power while minimizing potenti...