Austria's Founding: A Historical Perspective

The history of Austria can be traced back to the late Iron Age, when the area was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture. The lands became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC, before being occupied by the Germanic Bavarii in the 6th century. The name Ostarrîchi (Austria) has been in use since 996 AD, when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria.

In 1156, Austria became an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, and was dominated by the House of Habsburg from 1273 to 1918. In 1806, when Emperor Francis II of Austria dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, Austria became the Austrian Empire, and was also part of the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In 1867, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary: the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I, Austria was reduced to its current frontiers, and adopted the name, the Republic of German-Austria. However, union with Germany was forbidden by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles. This led to the creation of the First Austrian Republic (1919–1933).

Following the First Republic, Austrofascism tried to keep Austria independent from the German Reich. In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. After the German defeat in World War II, Austria again became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic in 1955. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.

The Roman Empire conquered the area that is now Austria, establishing the provinces of Raetia, Noricum and Pannonia

The Romans were eventually forced to withdraw from the region, abandoning their once-flourishing cities, such as Carnuntum in Pannonia, due to the onslaught of tribal migrations. The area that is now Austria was then settled by Germanic peoples, who crossed the Danube, and the Avars, who settled in eastern Austria. The Slavs also settled in northern Lower Austria, Carinthia and southern Styria.

In the 8th century, Charlemagne established the Carolingian East March between the rivers Enns, Raab and Drau (Drava) as a bulwark against further Avar advance. This area was later referred to as the Ostmark (Eastern March) and, in 996, it was first referred to as "Ostarrichi", a clear forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich" (Austria).

The Germanic Bavarii occupied the area in the 6th century

The Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region. They were under the political influence of the Franks, and their lands extended south to what is now South Tyrol, and east to the Enns. The administrative centre was at Regensburg.

The Bavarians mixed with the Rhaeto-Romanic population and pushed them up into the mountains along the Puster Valley. The Bavarians were established as a stem dukedom by around 550, under Agilolfing rule until 788 as an eastern Frankish Empire outpost.

In the south of modern Austria, Slavs had settled in the valleys of the Drava, Mura and Save by 600. The westward Slavic migration stopped further Bavarian migration eastwards by 610. Their most westward expansion was reached in 650 at the Puster Valley, but gradually fell back to the Enns by 780. The settlement boundary between Slavs and Bavarians roughly corresponds to a line from Freistadt through Linz, Salzburg (Lungau), to East Tyrol (Lesachtal), with Avars and Slavs occupying eastern Austria and modern Bohemia.

In the 9th century, the area fell to the Frankish Empire

The Ostmark was ruled by the Babenberg family, with Leopold I of Babenberg becoming margrave of the Ostmark in 976. The Babenbergs expanded their power in the centuries that followed, and by the 12th century, they had moved their residence to Vienna, which has remained the capital of the country ever since.

In 1156, the Ostmark was elevated to the status of a duchy and was granted important privileges. The Babenbergs continued to rule the duchy until the death of the last male Babenberg in the mid-13th century.

Following a brief interregnum, the Duchy of Austria was enfeoffed to the Habsburgs in 1282. The Habsburgs, whose origins lay in Swabia, would rule Austria for the next six centuries.

The name Ostarrîchi (Austria) has been in use since 996 AD

The history of Austria covers the history of Austria and its predecessor states. In the late Iron Age, Austria was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture (c. 800 BC), they first organized as a Celtic kingdom referred to by the Romans as Noricum, dating from c. 800 to 400 BC. At the end of the 1st century BC, the lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire. In the Migration Period, the 6th century, the Bavarii, a Germanic people, occupied these lands until it fell to the Frankish Empire established by the Germanic Franks in the 9th century.

In the 12th century, Henry II moved his residence to Vienna which has remained the capital of the country ever since. Also in the 12th century, St. Stephen's cathedral was completed, which became a visible landmark of the city, showing its prominence. Henry II also founded the Schottenstift monastery in Vienna, where to this day you can visit a statue of him.

In 1156, Austria became an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire

In 976, Emperor Otto II appointed Leopold I of Babenberg as the new margrave of the Eastern March, which would later become Austria. The Babenberg family would rule Austria for the next four centuries. During this time, the margravate was gradually expanded and consolidated, with the Danube River serving as a natural barrier and the Alps providing some protection from invading forces.

Over time, the margravate became increasingly independent, with the rulers adopting the title of "duke" to reflect their growing power. This led to the creation of the Duchy of Austria in 1156, when Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa elevated the status of the Eastern March as a gift to Duke Henry II of Austria, who had supported the emperor in the Italian campaigns. This was a significant development, as it gave Austria a level of independence and autonomy within the Holy Roman Empire, of which it was now a part.

The elevation of Austria to a duchy was formalized in the Privilege of Bavaria, a document issued by Emperor Frederick I in September 1156. This document granted Henry II and his successors the right to rule Austria as dukes, with the privilege of near-complete autonomy in internal affairs. The duchy was also granted specific rights and privileges, including the right to collect tolls, hold markets, and mint coins, as well as the application of specific laws and customs.

As a result of this newfound independence, the Duchy of Austria began to flourish, with the Babenberg rulers encouraging the development of towns, trade, and culture. The capital, Vienna, was established as a center of power, and the country became a key player in Central European politics and commerce. The duchy also benefited from its location, with important trade routes running through its territory, connecting it to other major European centers.

The period following Austria's independence also saw the establishment of a distinct Austrian identity, with the country developing its own unique culture, traditions, and language. This sense of national identity would continue to evolve over the centuries, shaping the country into the modern nation-state it is today. Thus, the year 1156 marks a pivotal moment in the foundation of Austria as a distinct political and cultural entity.

Frequently asked questions