Austria's Control Over Hungary: How Long Did It Last?

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy, was formed in 1867. The empire was ruled by a single monarch, but Hungary was granted its own parliament and considerable autonomy. The two halves shared a common monarch, foreign relations and defence, but all other state functions were handled separately. The monarchy collapsed in 1918 following World War I and revolutions by the Czechs, Yugoslavs and Hungarians.

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed in 1867

The formation of the Austro-Hungarian Empire was the result of a reorientation of Austrian policy towards the east after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, which resulted in the expulsion of Austria from the German Confederation. This war caused Emperor Franz Joseph to consolidate his heterogeneous empire, which included territories ruled by the Habsburg monarchy. The empire of Austria, as an official designation, dates back to 1804, when Francis II, the last of the Holy Roman emperors, proclaimed himself emperor of Austria as Francis I.

Hungary's leaders were generally less willing than their Austrian counterparts to share power with their subject minorities. However, they granted a large measure of autonomy to Croatia in 1868, modelling their relationship with that kingdom on their own compromise with Austria. The first Hungarian steam locomotive railway line was opened in 1846, and by 1910, the total length of the rail networks of the Hungarian Kingdom reached 22,869 kilometres.

The empire lasted until 1918

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed in 1867 and lasted until 1918. The empire was a dual monarchy, with the Austrian emperor also becoming king of Hungary. Hungary was granted its own parliament and considerable autonomy, although the two halves shared a common monarch and jointly managed foreign relations and defence.

Up until 1914, the monarchy maintained a balance among its many minorities. However, this balance was toppled with the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Francis Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist, which precipitated World War I. With its defeat in the war and revolutions by the Czechs, Yugoslavs, and Hungarians, the monarchy collapsed in 1918.

The Hungarians had their own parliament and considerable autonomy

Austria-Hungary was a dual monarchy formed by the Compromise of 1867. This compromise created a king of Hungary in addition to the existing Austrian emperor. Although these were the same person, Hungary was granted its own parliament and considerable autonomy.

The Hungarians had their own parliament, which was separate from the Austrian parliament. The Hungarian parliament had its own set of laws and regulations, which were different from those of the Austrian parliament. The Hungarian parliament was responsible for making laws and regulations for the Hungarian part of the monarchy.

The Hungarians also had their own army and navy, which were separate from the Austrian army and navy. The Hungarian army and navy were responsible for defending the Hungarian part of the monarchy. The Hungarians also had their own customs union, which was separate from the Austrian customs union.

The Hungarians also had their own railway system, which was nationalised in 1890. The Hungarian railway system was one of the most extensive in the world, with nearly half of the empire's railways being built in Hungary. The Hungarian railway system linked more than 1,490 settlements and had a total length of 22,869 kilometres.

The empire was also known as the Dual Monarchy

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy, was formed in 1867. The Compromise of 1867 created a king of Hungary in addition to the existing Austrian emperor, although these were the same person. Hungary was granted its own parliament and considerable autonomy. The two halves shared a common monarch, and foreign relations and defence were managed jointly. However, all other state functions were handled separately, as there was no common citizenship. The empire was ruled by the Habsburg monarchy, which dates back to 1804 when Francis II, the last of the Holy Roman emperors, proclaimed himself emperor of Austria as Francis I.

The Dual Monarchy maintained a precarious balance among its many minorities until 1914, when this balance was toppled by the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian Francis Ferdinand by a Serbian nationalist, which precipitated World War I. With its defeat in the war and revolutions by the Czechs, Yugoslavs, and Hungarians, the monarchy collapsed in 1918.

Hungary's leaders were generally less willing than their Austrian counterparts to share power with their subject minorities. However, they granted a large measure of autonomy to Croatia in 1868, modelling their relationship on their own compromise with Austria the previous year. The Hungarian network linked more than 1,490 settlements, and nearly half (52%) of the empire's railways were built in Hungary.

The two halves shared a common monarch and foreign relations and defence were managed jointly

The Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy, was formed in 1867. The two halves of the empire shared a common monarch, Francis Joseph, who held the titles of both Austrian Emperor and King of Hungary until his death in 1916. Foreign relations and defence were managed jointly, with a common government formed for matters of national security, including the Common Army, Navy, foreign policy and the imperial household. However, all other state functions were handled separately, as there was no common citizenship. The Austro-Hungarian Empire came to an end in 1918 following its defeat in World War I and revolutions by the Czechs, Yugoslavs, and Hungarians.

Frequently asked questions