Omari Gates
Austria, a small landlocked country in south-central Europe, has a rich and eventful history. The first traces of human settlement in the region date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age), with the oldest traces of human habitation found in the Repolust Cave at Badl, dating back more than 250,000 years ago. Over the centuries, Austria has been influenced by various empires, including the Romans, the Celts, and the Holy Roman Empire. The country's history has also been shaped by its ruling dynasties, such as the Babenbergs and the Habsburgs, who acquired additional territories and expanded their influence. Austria's modern history includes the annexation by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler to Germany in 1938, followed by the establishment of permanent neutrality in 1955 and its membership in the European Union in 1995. Today, Austria is known for its thriving economy, with a focus on industry and international tourism, and its cultural life, including its renowned architecture and musical heritage.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Territory | The territory of Austria has changed drastically over time. Only two of the nine provinces (Lower and Upper Austria) are strictly 'Austria', while other parts of its former sovereign territory are now part of Italy, Croatia, Slovenia and Czechia. |
| Population | The population of Austria is predominantly Austrian and the official language is German. The population is approximately 9,240,000 as of 2025. |
| Religion | The predominant religion in Austria is Christianity, with a majority of the population being Roman Catholic, and smaller numbers of Protestants and Orthodox Christians. There is also a significant Muslim minority. |
| History | The history of Austria includes the rule of the Babenbergs, the Habsburgs, and the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. Austria was a part of the Holy Roman Empire and later became an independent country. The country was incorporated into Nazi Germany in 1938 and restored to its pre-war frontiers in 1945. |
| Geography | Austria is a federal state with two legislative houses and a mixed free-market and government-operated economy. The capital is Vienna and the currency is the Euro. The country is covered mostly by Alpine regions, including the eastern Alps, where the country's highest point, the Grossglockner, is found. |
| Culture | Austria has a rich cultural history, with notable contributions in music (Haydn, Mozart, Schubert), art (Oskar Kokoschka), psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud), and philosophy (Ludwig Wittgenstein). |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's ancient history
Austria's history is a complex one, with the territory understood by the term 'Austria' undergoing drastic changes over time. The first traces of human settlement in the territories of Austria date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age), with the Alps becoming inhabitable after the Ice Age.
In the late Iron Age, around 800 BC, Austria was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture, who established the kingdom of Noricum. This Celtic population was prosperous, with rich deposits of mineral resources, especially salt and iron, facilitating trade with the neighbouring Roman Empire.
The Romans arrived in 200 BC and by 15 BC, they dominated the entire area, establishing the provinces of Raetia, Noricum, and Pannonia. The Romans ruled over the region for almost 500 years, and their settlements became prosperous and Romanized. The most important Roman settlement was Carnuntum, the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia in what is now Lower Austria.
By the mid-500s, the Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region. In 800, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, established a territory in the Danube valley known as the Ostmark (Eastern March). During this time, the area became ethnically Germanic, with the Slavs being subdued by Charlemagne.
In 976, the Babenbergs, a Bavarian noble family, were entrusted with the administration of the region, and in 996, the Ostmark was first referred to as "Ostarrichi", the forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich" (Austria). The name "Austria" has been in use since this time, and the territory became a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria.
In 1156, the territory was made an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire, with the Babenbergs confirmed as rulers. The political history of Austria from the end of the 10th century to the middle of the 13th was marked by the establishment and consolidation of territories, with new settlements being established and eventually granted charters.
In 1273, the House of Habsburg rose to power, dominating Austria until 1918, with a brief interruption in 1282 by the Přemysl ruler Otakar II. The Habsburgs constantly expanded their sphere of influence through skilful marital policies, acquiring additional territories and emerging as a great European power.
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The Roman Empire's influence
The history of Austria is a complex and fascinating one, with the Roman Empire playing a significant role in shaping the region's early history and development.
One of the most important Roman settlements in Austria was Carnuntum, the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia in what is now Lower Austria. Carnuntum served as the centre of Roman fortifications along the Danube and is now home to an Archaeology Park with a museum and an amphitheatre. Other significant Roman towns in Austria included Vindobona (Vienna), Juvavum (Salzburg), Valdidena (Innsbruck), and Brigantium (Bregenz).
The Romans also established trading outposts and fortified settlements in the region, including one on the Magdalensberg and others in eastern Styria, such as Kulm, Idunum (modern-day Villach), Burg (Schwarzenbach), and Braunsberg (Hainburg). These settlements became centres of public life, and the organisation of the Roman Empire allowed for the expansion of these settlements into market centres and towns. The arrival of the Romans also brought Christianity to Austria in the 2nd century, leading to the establishment of the Church in the region by the 4th century.
However, the Roman Empire's control over Austria was not without challenges. By the later half of the second century AD, various German tribes were extending their territory and making incursions into Roman lands. The Battle of Adrianople in 380 AD saw Roman forces suffer a major defeat at the hands of the Goths, Alans, and Huns, forcing the Romans to try new approaches to settling newcomers in border regions. The Roman Empire's influence in Austria gradually declined, and by the mid-500s, the Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region.
In summary, the Roman Empire's influence on Austria was significant and wide-ranging. They shaped the region's urban development, introduced Christianity, and established settlements that evolved into important cities. However, their control faced challenges from tribal incursions and internal power struggles, eventually giving way to new powers and influences in the region.
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Medieval Austria
The first recorded instance of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996, in a document of King Otto III written as "Ostarrîchi", referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. The Latinized name "Austria" appeared in the 12th Century during the time of Leopold III (1095–1136).
The political history of Austria from the end of the 10th century to the middle of the 13th was marked by the establishment and consolidation of territories. This process was most advanced in the Babenberg domains but was not confined to them. The Babenbergs had relatively small holdings, with not only Salzburg but the lands of the Diocese of Passau lying in the hands of the church, and the nobility controlling much of the rest. However, they embarked on a programme of consolidating their power base. One such method was to employ indentured servants such as the Kuenringern family as Ministeriales and give them considerable military and administrative duties.
In 1139, after King Conrad III of Germany deposed the Welf duke Henry the Proud, he gave the Bavarian duchy to his half-brother Margrave Leopold. Leopold the Generous (1136–1141) was a loyal vassal of the imperial House of Hohenstaufen in the struggle against the Bavarian Welf dynasty. In 1156, the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I (Barbarossa) arranged a compromise: Bavaria was restored to the Welf Henry III (the Lion), duke of Saxony, while the Babenbergs were confirmed in their rule of Austria, which was made a duchy, and were given the “three counties,” the actual location of which is disputed.
The Austrian lands prospered due to their favourable location on the Danube, as an important trade route from Krems and Mautern via Vienna down to Hungary and the Byzantine Empire. For a short time, the Babenbergs became one of the most influential ruling families in the Empire, peaking under the reign of Leopold V the Virtuous (1177–1194) and Leopold VI the Glorious (1194–1230). In 1186, they signed the Georgenberg Pact with the first and last Otakar duke Ottokar IV of Styria and, upon his death in 1192, acquired the adjacent Styrian lands in the south, which were ruled with Austria in personal union until 1918. They also expanded their territory into the old Bavarian lands west of the Enns River, along the Traun to the city of Linz, the future capital of Upper Austria.
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Austrian Habsburgs
The Austrian Habsburgs, also known as the House of Habsburg, were one of the chief dynasties of Europe from the 15th to the 20th century. The family name originated with the Habsburg Castle in present-day Switzerland, which was built by Radbot of Klettgau, the first reliably traced Habsburg, in the late 10th century. The name may be derived from the High German "Habichtsburg" (hawk castle) or the Middle High German word "hab/hap" (ford), due to a nearby river with a ford.
The history of the Habsburg monarchy can be traced back to the election of Rudolf I as King of Germany in 1273, and his acquisition of the Duchy of Austria for the Habsburgs in 1282, thus establishing the "Austrian hereditary lands". From 1273 to 1918, Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
The Austrian hereditary lands were reunited in 1490 when Sigismund of Tirol abdicated in favour of Rudolf I's son, Maximilian I. Maximilian I brought the Burgundian Netherlands into the Habsburg possessions through his marriage to Mary of Burgundy. In 1493, Maximilian I's son, Philip I, married Joanna of Castile, and their son, Charles V, inherited the Spanish throne and its colonial possessions, ruling the Habsburg empire at its greatest territorial extent.
In 1526, Archduke Ferdinand was elected the next king of Bohemia and Hungary following the death of Louis II of Hungary in the Battle of Mohács against the Ottoman Turks. The Habsburgs lost Bohemia and Hungary for several decades after the death of Ladislas Posthumus in 1457, but they managed to absorb significant secular enclaves into their territories, creating a contiguous domain stretching from the border with Bohemia to the Adriatic Sea.
The abdication of Charles V in 1556 led to a division within the dynasty between his son Philip II of Spain, and his brother, Ferdinand I. The Spanish branch became extinct in 1700, and the Austrian branch became extinct in the male line in 1740 but continued through the female line as the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
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Austria in the 20th century
The history of Austria has been eventful and complex, with the territory undergoing several changes over time. In the 20th century, Austria continued to undergo significant political, social, and cultural transformations. Here is an overview of Austria's history during this period:
Early 20th Century
From 1273 to 1918, Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and the House of Habsburg-Lorraine. In the early 20th century, southern Carinthia was one of the few regions where Slavs maintained their language and identity. However, by the early 1900s, assimilation reduced them to a small minority. During this time, Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe, with Vienna serving as the administrative capital of the Holy Roman Empire.
World War II and Post-War Period
On March 12, 1938, Austria was invaded by German troops and incorporated into the German Reich. After World War II ended in 1945, Austria was restored to its 1937 borders and occupied by the Allied forces of the USA, Soviet Union, UK, and France for a decade. During this occupation, Austria's current national anthem, attributed to Mozart, was chosen to replace the traditional anthem by Joseph Haydn.
Post-War Reconstruction and Neutrality
On May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was ratified, and Austria declared its permanent neutrality. Austria's location near the "Iron Curtain" made it a nerve centre between the West and the East during the Cold War. After the Hungarian Revolution in 1956 and the Prague Spring Invasion in 1968, Austria granted asylum to refugees fleeing these conflicts.
International Engagement and EU Membership
Austria became a host country for many international organizations, such as the United Nations (UNO) and OPEC. Additionally, it hosted important conferences and summit meetings. In 1995, Austria became a member of the European Union, further integrating itself into the international community.
Social and Cultural Developments
Austria has produced several notable figures in various fields during the 20th century. In science, Lise Meitner, Erwin Schrödinger, and Wolfgang Pauli made significant contributions to nuclear research and quantum mechanics. In philosophy, Ludwig Wittgenstein and Karl Popper gained international recognition. In psychology and psychiatry, Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Paul Watzlawick, and Viktor Frankl left their mark.
Additionally, Austria has a strong footballing tradition, with the national team placing 4th in the 1934 FIFA World Cup, 3rd in 1954, and 7th in 1978. However, Austrian football has not achieved international success since the mid-20th century.
Religious Changes
From the second half of the 20th century, there was a decline in religious adherence and church attendance in Austria. While about 74% of the population identified as Roman Catholic in 2001, by 2021, that number had dropped to approximately 50%. Similarly, the Lutheran Church recorded a significant loss of adherents between 2001 and 2016. Concurrently, the number of people declaring themselves without a religion increased, with 22.4% of the population doing so by 2021.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some of the key moments in Austria's history:
- 8000 BC: First traces of human settlement in the region.
- 200 BC: The Romans arrive.
- 15 BC: The Romans dominate the entire area.
- 976: Leopold von Babenberg becomes the margrave of the Ostmark, marking the start of the Babenberg family's rule over the Duchy of Austria.
- 996: The Ostmark is first referred to as "Ostarrichi", a forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich".
- 1156: Austria is elevated to the status of a duchy and is granted important privileges.
- 1246: The death of the last male Babenberg in the Battle against the Hungarians on the Leitha River.
- 1278: Rudolph I of Germany defeats Ottokar II of Bohemia, ending his reign over the duchies of Austria, Styria, and Carinthia.
- 1282: The Duchy of Austria is enfeoffed to the Habsburgs, marking the start of their six centuries of rule in Austria.
- 1437: Duke Albert V, who married the daughter of Emperor Sigismund, becomes the first Habsburg to wear the imperial crown.
- 1526: Following the Battle of Mohács, Bohemia and the part of Hungary not occupied by the Ottomans come under Austrian rule.
- 1683: Vienna is successfully defended against the Turks, resulting in most of Hungary coming under Austrian control.
- 1789: The French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon threaten the Habsburgs.
- 1806: Emperor Francis II renounces the Roman Empire due to the changes brought about by the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars.
- 1918: The collapse of the multinational empire of Austria-Hungary, leading to social and economic turbulence and a Nazi dictatorship.
- 1945: After World War II, the German identity in Austria is weakened, and Austrians are no longer regarded as ethnic Germans.
- 1955: Austria becomes an independent republic again and establishes permanent neutrality, withdrawing Allied troops from the country.
- 1995: Austria joins the European Union.
Some of the significant ruling dynasties in Austria's history include:
- The Babenbergs (10th-13th centuries): They ruled the territory known as the Ostmark or Eastern March, which later became known as Austria. They pursued a policy of expanding their territory and consolidating their power through skillful marital alliances.
- The Habsburgs (13th century onwards): The Habsburg dynasty acquired the Duchy of Austria in 1282 and constantly expanded their sphere of influence, adding provinces in the vicinity of Austria as well as territories farther away, such as Burgundy and the Netherlands. They ruled until the early 20th century, when World War I marked a significant change in Austria's history.
Austria's geography, as a landlocked country in south-central Europe, has played a significant role in its history. The country is situated at the centre of European trade routes between east and west along the Danubian trade route and between north and south through the Alpine passes. This strategic location has embedded Austria within various political and economic systems and made it a significant player in European trade and politics.
Additionally, the rich mineral resources, particularly salt and iron, in the Alpine lands and the fertile plains of the Danube Valley, attracted settlers and contributed to the development of a prosperous Celtic population. This population became an important trading partner of the neighbouring Roman Empire, which eventually absorbed the region into its imperial provinces.
