Forming Austria-Hungary In Eu4: Is It Possible?

The formation of Austria-Hungary is a popular topic among players of the grand strategy game Europa Universalis IV by Paradox Development Studio. While it is not possible to form Austria-Hungary directly in the game, players have discovered ways to replicate the historical union between the two nations through careful diplomacy and strategic decisions. One way to achieve this is by having Austria form a personal union with Hungary, either through royal marriages, claiming their throne, or enforcing a union through war. This can lead to diplomatic annexation and the creation of borders resembling those of Austria-Hungary. However, some players argue that the formation of Austria-Hungary was a unique historical event that occurred after the game's timeline and does not fit within the mechanics of the game, especially considering the rise of nationalism in the 19th century.

Marry into Hungary, claim their throne and enforce a personal union

To marry into Hungary, claim their throne and enforce a personal union, you must first ensure that you meet the following prerequisites:

• You share the same dynasty with Hungary, or have a royal marriage with them.
• Hungary has no heir.
• Hungary is not already a senior partner in a personal union.
• Hungary is at peace.

Once these conditions are met, you can claim the throne of Hungary and enforce a personal union through war. This will make you the senior partner in the union, giving you control over Hungary's diplomacy and gaining the benefit of their troops in your wars.

It is worth noting that claiming the throne of Hungary will cause a -100 opinion malus with them and a -50 opinion malus with all countries that you have a royal marriage with. Additionally, personal unions can only be formed over Christian monarchies, so ensure that both nations are following an accepted Christian religion.

To form Austria-Hungary specifically, you will need to integrate Hungary through diplomacy. This requires the following:

• The union has been stable for at least 50 years.
• Hungary's opinion of you is at least 190.
• Hungary's liberty desire is less than 50%.
• You have more provinces than Hungary.
• Hungary is at peace and has control of its capital.

Completing this integration will result in you gaining control of Hungary's provinces, army, navy, and subjects. However, it is important to note that Austria-Hungary did not exist until 1867, so this strategy is ahistorical for the timeframe of the game.

Marry Hungary and get your dynasty onto their throne

• Start as Austria in 1444: This starting position will allow you to marry into Hungary immediately and claim their throne. Their starting ruler has poor legitimacy and low prestige, making it easier to enforce a union through war.
• Form an Alliance with Hungary: This step is optional but can help improve relations and increase the chances of a successful royal marriage.
• Arrange a Royal Marriage with Hungary: A royal marriage will give you a claim on Hungary's throne.
• Claim Hungary's Throne: Once you have a royal marriage and a claim, you can enforce a personal union through war. Declare war on Hungary and win to place your dynasty on their throne.
• Enforce a Personal Union: After winning the war, you will be able to enforce a personal union with Hungary, effectively putting your dynasty on their throne and allowing you to control both nations.

It is important to note that while you can get your dynasty onto Hungary's throne and form a personal union, there is no specific "Austria-Hungary" tag or formation in the game. However, by following these steps, you can create a similar situation and control both nations as a single entity.

Get a mission to force Hungary into a union

To get a mission to force Hungary into a union, you need to play as Austria. As Austria, you can get a personal union (PU) over Hungary by marrying into Hungary, claiming their throne, and enforcing a PU through war. This is because their starting ruler has poor legitimacy and low prestige.

There are several ways to get a Restoration of Union Casus Belli against Hungary for a certain period of time, which will allow you to force a PU over Hungary through war. One way is through an event that occurs when Mátyás Hunyadi is elected king of Hungary. Another way is through one of Austria's first missions, which requires the combined total development of Austria and all its subjects to be equal to or greater than that of Hungary, and be at least 200. Additionally, if Ladislaus Postumus lives and Hungary chooses to play nice, you can get the PU peacefully.

It is also possible to get a PU through Hungary's mission tree, but this may be locked behind a DLC.

Forming Austria-Hungary was a last-ditch measure to save the Austrian Empire

The formation of Austria-Hungary was a last-ditch attempt to save the Austrian Empire from collapse following the disastrous Austro-Prussian War of 1866. The Austrian Empire was on the brink of collapse, and the Hungarians were threatening to declare independence. To prevent this, the Austrian Emperor, Franz Joseph, agreed to a compromise with the Hungarians, which resulted in the formation of the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary.

Under the Ausgleich agreement of 1867, Hungary gained full internal autonomy and a responsible ministry, while the empire remained a single great state for war and foreign affairs. This compromise allowed Franz Joseph to maintain dynastic prestige abroad while conceding significant power to the Hungarians. The agreement established a common monarchy consisting of the emperor, his court, and the ministers for foreign affairs and war. There was no common prime minister, and the two parliaments handled their own affairs, with a customs union and shared accounts that were revised every ten years.

The formation of Austria-Hungary was a recognition of the large percentage of Hungarians living under Austrian rule who sought acknowledgement and autonomy. It was a concession to Hungarian nationalism, which had been growing since the early 19th century. The compromise also reflected the shift in Austrian policy towards the east following the expulsion of Austria from the German Confederation after the Austro-Prussian War.

While the formation of Austria-Hungary successfully prevented the immediate collapse of the Austrian Empire, it did not resolve the underlying tensions and contradictions within the empire. Over time, the gap between Hungarian and Austrian interests widened, and the empire became increasingly fragile. Ultimately, the stresses of World War I, combined with economic crises and nationalist movements, led to the final collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.

The formation of Austria-Hungary was a consequence of nationalism

The formation of Austria-Hungary was influenced by the rise of Hungarian nationalism, which was a significant factor in the broader context of 19th-century nationalism. This nationalism led to the desire for recognition among Hungarians living under Austrian rule, and it played a crucial role in shaping the political landscape of the region. The Compromise of 1867 was an attempt to address these nationalist sentiments and prevent the collapse of the Austrian Empire.

The creation of Austria-Hungary as a dual monarchy was a unique political arrangement that reflected the balance of power between the Austrian and Hungarian halves of the empire. However, it is important to note that the formation of Austria-Hungary did not resolve all nationalist tensions within the empire. Over time, the gap between Hungarian and Austrian interests widened, and nationalist sentiments continued to shape the political and social landscape of the region.

The complexities of nationalism in the Austro-Hungarian Empire extended beyond the Austrian and Hungarian contexts. The empire was a multinational entity, encompassing a diverse range of ethnic and linguistic groups. While nationalism was a significant force, recent research has challenged the notion that conflicts solely between these national groups were the main cause of the empire's eventual demise. Instead, it was the changing attitudes of nationalist politicians, who no longer viewed the Habsburg state as a viable framework, that played a crucial role.

In conclusion, the formation of Austria-Hungary as a consequence of nationalism was a complex process shaped by the interplay of various political, social, and cultural forces. While nationalism was a driving factor, it coexisted with other forms of identification, such as imperial patriotism and dynastic loyalty. The Compromise of 1867 was an attempt to navigate these complexities and balance the competing interests and aspirations of the various national groups within the empire.

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