Nationalism's Divide And Conquer: Austria-Hungary's Demise

Nationalism played a key role in the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which encompassed a large swathe of central and eastern Europe, including the modern-day states of Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, and parts of Poland, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro. The union was made up of many disparate ethnic groups, most of whom were keen to form their own nations. As World War One approached, nationalist voices began to insist that you couldn't be both a loyal subject of the Empire and identify with one of these ethnic groups. This shift in attitude among nationalist politicians, combined with the Entente's decision to dismember the Empire, was the crucial cause of its demise.

The rise of nationalism in the years preceding World War One

Given the disparate nature of the union and the presence of numerous ethnic groups, the notion of a shared national identity was always going to be challenging. Most of these ethnic groups aspired to form their own nations, and the rise of nationalism fuelled these aspirations. Nationalists asserted that speakers of a particular language belonged to a specific nation, even if they did not personally identify with it. This belief gained traction among the middle classes in the second half of the 19th century and was eventually acknowledged by the state.

The empire's subjects were divided into various diets and parliaments, which allowed them to develop a dual identity. However, this also contributed to the rise of nationalism as different groups began to assert their distinct identities. For example, the Ruthenians were developing a national consciousness that could lead them to join the Russian Empire, while the Czechs and Slovaks were demanding more power. Serbia also posed an existential threat to Austria-Hungary, as its success in gaining independence could inspire other groups within the empire to seek their own nationhood.

The combination of these factors meant that Austria-Hungary was particularly vulnerable to the forces of nationalism during World War One. It is possible that without the war, Austria-Hungary could have continued as a unified entity well into the 20th and 21st centuries. However, the rise of nationalism in the years preceding the war undoubtedly played a significant role in the eventual breakup of the empire.

The desire for an independent Poland

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was spread across a large swathe of central and eastern Europe, encompassing the modern-day states of Austria and Hungary, as well as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia and parts of present-day Poland, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro. Given the disparate nature of the union and the number of ethnic groups involved, the notion of a shared national identity was always going to be a problem. Most of these ethnic groups were keen to form their own nations.

Nationalism was an important basis for group building. As World War One approached, nationalist voices began to insist that you couldn't be both a good servant of the Kaiser and proud of Austria-Hungary, and identify as a Czech or a Pole, for example. Poles should want an independent Poland, just as every true Serb, Croat, Czech or Slovak should demand independence.

The rise of nationalism in the years preceding World War One meant that the Empire's subjects were increasingly feeling a sense of dual identity. It was possible to be both a good servant of the Kaiser and proud of Austria-Hungary, and identify as a Czech or a Pole. But, increasingly, as World War One approached, nationalist voices began to insist that you couldn’t be both.

Serbia was an existential threat to Austria-Hungary. If Serbia had its way and the South Slavs began to leave, then it was only a matter of time before the Poles in the north would want out. Serbia had to be stopped if the Empire was to survive. When Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary had the perfect excuse to go to war with Serbia.

The Ruthenians' growing national consciousness

The Ruthenians were beginning to develop a national consciousness that might lead to them wanting to join with the Russian Empire. This was a threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as it could lead to the Empire's demise. If the Ruthenians were to leave, then it was only a matter of time before the Poles in the north would want out too. This would cause a domino effect, with other ethnic groups also demanding their own nation. The Empire already faced an existential threat from Serbia, and so the growing national consciousness of the Ruthenians was a serious concern.

The Czechs and Slovaks' demands for more power

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was spread across a huge swathe of central and eastern Europe, encompassing the modern-day states of Austria and Hungary, as well as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia and parts of present Poland, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro. The union was disparate and encompassed many ethnic groups, most of whom were keen to form their own nations.

The Czechs and Slovaks were among those who demanded more power. They wanted to be able to govern themselves and have more control over their own affairs. This was a direct challenge to the authority of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was already struggling to maintain control over its vast and diverse territory. The Czechs and Slovaks were not alone in their demands for more power; other ethnic groups within the empire, such as the Poles and the South Slavs, were also agitating for greater autonomy or even full independence.

The rise of nationalism in the years preceding World War One played a key role in these demands for more power. As nationalist sentiment grew, people began to identify more strongly with their own ethnic group or nation rather than with the empire as a whole. This made it increasingly difficult for the empire to maintain its authority and control. The Czechs and Slovaks, in particular, had a strong sense of national identity and felt that they deserved more power and recognition within the empire.

The demands of the Czechs and Slovaks, along with those of other ethnic groups, ultimately contributed to the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As the empire weakened, it became clear that it could not survive in its current form. The changed attitude of nationalist politicians, who no longer saw the empire as viable, was a crucial factor in its demise. The empire's inability to meet the demands of its diverse population and the growing strength of nationalist movements ultimately led to its collapse.

The threat of Serbia

The rise of nationalism in the years preceding World War One threatened the stability of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which encompassed a diverse range of modern-day states, including Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, and parts of Poland, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, and Montenegro.

The notion of a shared national identity was always going to be a challenge given the disparate nature of the union and the number of ethnic groups involved, most of whom aspired to form their own independent nations. As World War One approached, nationalist voices became increasingly assertive, insisting that individuals could not simultaneously identify with the Empire and their respective ethnic groups.

Serbia posed an existential threat to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. If the South Slavs, who were supported by Serbia, were to leave the Empire, it was feared that the Poles in the north would follow suit. This would set a precedent for other ethnic groups within the Empire to pursue their own national interests, such as the Ruthenians, who were developing a national consciousness that might lead them to seek unification with the Russian Empire, and the Czechs and Slovaks, who were already demanding greater autonomy.

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo provided Austria-Hungary with a pretext to go to war with Serbia, which was seen as a necessary step to prevent the Empire's disintegration. However, it is important to note that while nationalism was a significant factor, it was not the sole cause of the Empire's demise. Wartime developments, the Entente's decision to dismember the Empire, and the changing attitudes of nationalist politicians, who no longer viewed the Empire as viable, also contributed to its eventual collapse.

Frequently asked questions