Ruqayyah Snyder
The alliance between Germany and Austria, more specifically, Austria-Hungary, was known as the Dual Alliance. It was formed in 1879, and the two nations promised to support each other in the event of an attack by Russia. The alliance was also meant to preserve peace, as Russia would not wage war against both empires. The addition of Italy in 1882 turned the Dual Alliance into the Triple Alliance. This alliance remained an important element of German and Austro-Hungarian foreign policy until 1918.
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What You'll Learn
The Dual Alliance of 1879
Despite sharing a language and similar cultures, Austria-Hungary and Germany had often been driven apart, including during the Austro-Prussian War. Additionally, the Habsburg rulers in Austria-Hungary believed that the promotion of nationalism, favoured by Germany, would destroy their multinational empire. However, their common distrust of Russia brought the two empires together. After the formation of the German Empire in 1871, German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck wanted to portray his nation as a peacemaker and preserver of the European status quo, and to prevent Germany's isolation. Bismarck believed that an alliance with Austria-Hungary would deter Russia from declaring war, as Russia would not wage war against both empires.
The Dual Alliance was formalised in a treaty, which stated that an attack on one country would be considered an attack on both, and that both countries would conduct any resulting war jointly. The treaty was to be valid for five years, after which the two parties would consult on whether to renew or modify it. The treaty was to be kept secret by both parties and only communicated to a third power upon a joint understanding.
In 1882, Italy joined the alliance, forming the Triple Alliance. The alliance remained an important element of German and Austro-Hungarian foreign policy until 1918, persisting throughout World War I as part of the Central Powers, and ending with their defeat in 1918.
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The Triple Alliance of 1882
The addition of Italy to the alliance was facilitated by German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who sought to maintain peace in Europe and prevent Germany's isolation. In 1881, Italy had lost out to France in establishing a colony in Tunisia, and it sought diplomatic support, which Bismarck offered by bringing Italy into the alliance. The Triple Alliance was primarily a defensive treaty against a potential French attack on Italy or Germany, with the signatories agreeing to remain neutral if any of the allies went to war with another power.
The Triple Alliance and the subsequent addition of Romania further strengthened the international status quo and provided security to the internal order of the Habsburg monarchy. It also served Bismarck's goal of stabilizing Europe and preserving the peace by balancing the rival power blocs that had formed due to fears of German ambitions. This alliance remained an important element of German and Austro-Hungarian foreign policy until 1918, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell, and the Treaty of Versailles forbade a union between Austria and Germany.
In the lead-up to World War I, the alliance dynamics shifted. Italy, a member of the Triple Alliance, did not immediately go to war with its allies and instead stayed neutral initially. By 1915, Italy had joined the Entente powers and declared war on Austria-Hungary, followed by Germany in 1916. The complex network of alliances and shifting loyalties in the years preceding World War I contributed to the volatile political landscape in Europe.
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The Anschluss of 1938
In the 1930s, Nazi Germany pursued an aggressive foreign policy, and Hitler was determined to destabilise Austria and undermine its independence. In 1934, Hitler ordered Austrian Nazis to create havoc in Austria, which turned into an attempt to overthrow the government. Chancellor Dollfuss, who tried to crack down on the Nazis, was assassinated by Austrian Nazis in a failed coup. In 1936, Hitler and Mussolini formalised the Rome-Berlin Axis, leaving Austria vulnerable to a German attack.
In early 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced a referendum on a possible union with Germany, to be held on 13 March. Hitler, who had been pushing for an early solution to the "Austrian Question", was furious and threatened to invade. On 11 March, he gave the Austrian government a series of ultimatums: the referendum must be called off, and Austrian president Wilhelm Miklas must appoint Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart as the new chancellor. Schuschnigg conceded, and on 12 March, German troops crossed the border and entered Austria unopposed. Hitler then travelled to Linz and Vienna, where he was warmly welcomed by Austrians. On 13 March, Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany.
The Anschluss was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion, and it resulted in a wave of public violence against Austria's Jewish population.
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The Three Emperors' League
The Dual Alliance, or the Austro-German Alliance, was a pact in which Germany and Austria-Hungary promised each other support in the case of a Russian attack and neutrality in the case of aggression by any other power. This alliance remained a significant element of German and Austro-Hungarian foreign policy until 1918. In 1882, Italy joined the alliance, forming the Triple Alliance, primarily as a defensive treaty against a potential French attack.
The formation of a unified Germany in 1871 had disrupted the old 'balance of power' in Europe, and German nationalism and pursuit of 'world power' status caused concern among other nations. This led to alliances such as the Triple Entente between Britain, France, and Russia, and a closer alliance between Germany and the Austro-Hungarian Empire. These rival power blocs maintained large armies and spent significant sums on military technology, contributing to the tense atmosphere in Europe before World War I.
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The Austro-Prussian War
Prussia deliberately challenged Austria for leadership of the German Confederation. Prussia had challenged Austria in 1850, but its mobilisation was a complete failure, and it was forced to accept humiliating terms at Olmütz. Since then, Prussia had prepared for a fresh challenge, with Otto von Bismarck as statesman, Count Helmuth von Moltke as strategist, and Count Albrecht von Roon as army organiser. The pretext found by Bismarck in 1866 was a dispute over the administration of Schleswig and Holstein, which Austria and Prussia had seized from Denmark in 1864 and had jointly administered since.
Prussia's alliance with Italy served to divert some of the Austrian forces to the south, where they fought a campaign in Venetia. Prussia also moved to prevent Austria from getting help from the north, cutting off the possibility of assistance from the other German states. Prussia then moved most of its forces to Bohemia to prepare for a showdown. The Austrian general encouraged a negotiated solution, but the Emperor insisted on battle, and at Königgrätz, two armies of over 250,000 men met, with the Austrians losing over 30,000 men.
The war ended with the Peace of Prague on 23 August 1866, resulting in the dissolution of the German Confederation, the Prussian annexation of four of Austria's former allies, and the permanent exclusion of Austria from German affairs. Prussia also annexed Schleswig-Holstein, Hannover, and several other duchies, while Austria was forced to cede control of its Venetian territory to Italy. These terms decreased Austria's prestige among the German states but left most of its empire intact. Prussia had become one of the dominant states in Europe, and the war was a carefully planned stage in the unification of Germany under the Prussian Hohenzollern dynasty.
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Frequently asked questions
The alliance between Germany and Austria was a pact known as the Dual Alliance, formed in 1879.
The Dual Alliance was formed to protect Austria-Hungary and the German Empire from Russian aggression.
The two powers promised each other support in the case of a Russian attack and neutrality in the case of aggression by any other power.
The German and Austrian-Hungarian Empires were united by their common distrust of Russia, which was gaining influence in the Balkans.
No, the Dual Alliance did not prevent World War I, during which Germany and Austria-Hungary remained allies as part of the Central Powers.
Yes, in 1938, Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany, forming a "Greater Germany".
