The Congress of Vienna's "peacekeeping" approach differed fundamentally from modern UN peacekeeping:
| Aspect | Congress of Vienna (1815) | Modern UN Peacekeeping |
|---|---|---|
| Mandate | Restore monarchies, balance of power, territorial adjustments post-Napoleon | UN Security Council mandate: ceasefire monitoring, civilian protection, political process support |
| Scope | European great powers only | Global; involves military, police, civilians from many nations |
| Use of Force | No standing force; relied on national armies | Lightly armed; force only for self-defense/mandate defense |
| Conflict Resolution | Diplomatic congresses, treaties | Dedicated mediation teams, political affairs officers |
| Civilian Protection | Not a focus | Core mandate (protection of civilians - POC) |
| Legitimacy | Concert of Europe (great power consensus) | UN Charter, international law |
Vienna aimed to prevent interstate war among empires; modern peacekeeping manages intra-state conflicts and protects people.