Lexi Webster
Austria and Russia's relationship has been fraught with conflict, from the Crimean War to the Cold War. The two countries were once allies, but their relationship soured in the lead-up to World War I, with Russia's pan-Slavic policies and ambitions in the Balkans causing tension with Austria-Hungary. The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was a catalyst for World War I, with Austria declaring war on Serbia, which was supported by Russia. The Soviet Union's occupation of Austria during World War II and the subsequent Cold War further strained relations, with Austria ultimately pledging neutrality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Austria-Hungary's formal annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet | 1908 |
| The Three Emperors' League | 1881 |
| The Franco-Prussian War | 1870-71 |
| The Bolshevik Revolution | November 1917 |
| Treaty of Brest-Litovsk | March 3, 1918 |
| Austria-Russia diplomatic relations established | February 21, 1924 |
| Nazi Germany annexed Austria | 1938 |
| Red Army's occupation of Austria | June 1941 |
| Soviets pulled out of Austria | 1955 |
| The Eastern Question | N/A |
| The Crimean War | N/A |
| The Vienna Note | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- Russia's invasion of Hungary to suppress the 1848 revolutions and restore Habsburg sovereignty
- Austria's hostile neutrality towards Russia during the Crimean War
- Austria's annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet in 1908
- The Bolshevik revolution in Russia in November 1917
- The Soviet occupation of Austria after World War II
Russia's invasion of Hungary to suppress the 1848 revolutions and restore Habsburg sovereignty
The Hungarian Revolution of 1848, also known as the Hungarian War of Independence, was sparked by the flight of Louis Philippe in France and a movement in favour of nationalism among European liberals. The revolution was closely linked to other revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas, including Vienna and Italy. The Hungarians' volunteer army won several victories, but they were ultimately no match for the vastly superior Russian force.
In response to the Hungarian Revolution, Russia intervened by sending a 200,000-strong army with 80,000 auxiliary forces to join the Austrians. The joint Russo-Austrian army defeated the Hungarian forces, and Habsburg power was restored in Hungary, which was placed under martial law. This marked the end of the Hungarian Revolution and the suppression of the Hungarians' aspirations for independence.
The Crimean War further strained relations between Austria and Russia. While Austria maintained a policy of hostile neutrality, it was supportive of the Anglo-French coalition against Russia. In the late 19th century, the two empires attempted to cooperate again, with a secret agreement in 1897 to maintain the status quo in the Balkans and exclude Italy from Balkan affairs. However, their relations were permanently damaged after Russia was dismayed by Austria-Hungary's annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet in 1908.
In the lead-up to World War I, Austria-Hungary and Russia found themselves on opposing sides, with Russia forming an alliance with France and Austria-Hungary aligning with Germany and Italy in the Triple Alliance. Despite their differences, the two empires had a history of diplomatic relations, and even collaborated on issues such as the occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878 and the Vienna Note regarding the Ottoman-Christian territories. However, their competing interests and ambitions, particularly in the Balkans, often led to tensions and conflicts that ultimately contributed to the complex dynamics of World War I.
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Austria's hostile neutrality towards Russia during the Crimean War
Austria and Russia's close relationship during and after the Napoleonic Wars began to sour in the lead-up to World War I, with the Crimean War being a notable turning point. Austria maintained a policy of hostile neutrality towards Russia during the Crimean War, refusing to guarantee its neutrality and supporting the Anglo-French coalition without declaring war on Russia. This stance angered Tsar Nicholas I of Russia and strained Russo-Austrian relations thereafter.
In the years leading up to the Crimean War, Austria felt threatened by the Russian troops in the Balkans, and in February 1854, it joined the United Kingdom and France in demanding the withdrawal of Russian forces from the principalities. When Russia rejected this ultimatum, Britain and France used it as justification to enter the war. Despite Russia's eventual withdrawal from the Danubian Principalities, the British and French continued hostilities, determined to end the Russian threat to the Ottomans.
Austria's neutrality during the Crimean War had diplomatic repercussions, isolating it from both Russia and the Western Powers. Russia's subsequent neutrality towards Austria contributed to its defeat in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War and its loss of influence in German-speaking lands. This led to the refounding of the Austrian state as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, marking a shift in its foreign policy.
In the late 19th century, Austria-Hungary and Russia became allies with the German Empire in the League of Three Emperors, aiming to maintain the status quo in the Balkans and prevent the emergence of a large Slavic state. However, tensions persisted, particularly over the Eastern Question regarding the weakening Ottoman Empire. Austria-Hungary's annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet in 1908 further damaged relations, as Russia viewed it as a violation of the Treaty of Berlin.
The complex dynamics between Austria, Russia, and other European powers during the Crimean War set a precedent for the diplomatic challenges that characterised their relationship in the decades leading up to World War I.
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Austria's annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet in 1908
The annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet in 1908, also known as the Bosnian Crisis, was a significant event that upset the fragile balance of power in the Balkans. On October 6, 1908, the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary announced its annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, dual provinces in the Balkan region of Europe. While these provinces were formerly under the sovereignty of the Ottoman Empire, they had been under Austro-Hungarian administration since 1878. The annexation was a result of preparations that included the founding of the Croatian People's Union, with the aim of unifying the annexed territories with the rest of the Croatian lands.
The annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was met with dismay by Russia and all the other Great Powers, including Austria-Hungary's Balkan neighbours. They viewed this action as a violation of the Treaty of Berlin. While Russia eventually backed down, the relations between the two empires were permanently damaged. The annexation also enraged Serbia and pan-Slavic nationalists throughout Europe, as the provinces had a largely Slavic population with their own nationalist ambitions.
The Bosnian Crisis was precipitated by the Young Turk Revolution in the Ottoman Empire, which Austria-Hungary feared could spread to the provinces. Additionally, the revolution aimed to restore the suspended Ottoman constitution, which had the support of Bosnian Muslims and Serbs who advocated for the autonomy of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the Ottoman Empire. To prevent this, on September 7, 1908, the SNO and MNO demanded that Bosnia and Herzegovina accept the constitution as part of the Empire. However, on October 5, Emperor Franz Joseph announced the annexation and ordered the composition of a constitution for the provinces.
The annexation of the Bosnia Vilayet was a significant event that had far-reaching consequences for the region. It upset the delicate balance of power in the Balkans, strained relations between Austria-Hungary and Russia, and fuelled the ambitions of pan-Slavic nationalists. The crisis also highlighted the complex dynamics between the Great Powers and the weakening of the Ottoman Empire, setting the stage for further tensions and conflicts in the lead-up to World War I.
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The Bolshevik revolution in Russia in November 1917
The Bolshevik Revolution, also known as the October Revolution, was the second of two revolutions in Russia in 1917. Led by Vladimir Lenin, it began with an insurrection in Petrograd (now St Petersburg) on 7 November 1917. This revolution placed the Bolsheviks in power, leading to the creation of the Soviet Union.
The Bolshevik Revolution was preceded by the February Revolution earlier in the year, which had led to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the formation of the Russian Provisional Government, led by Alexander Kerensky. The Bolsheviks had undergone a spectacular growth in membership, increasing from 24,000 members in February 1917 to 200,000 by September. By September, they were in the majority in the two leading cities of Russia, St Petersburg and Moscow, and controlled the Party organisations of the 13 provinces around Moscow, which held 37% of Russia's population.
The October Revolution unfolded largely without any casualties and was the precipitating event of the Russian Civil War, which lasted until 1922. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, the new Russian government began diplomatic efforts to terminate the war with the Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary, leading to the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918.
Prior to the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia and Austria-Hungary had a complex relationship, marked by both cooperation and rivalry. One major source of tension was the so-called Eastern Question, regarding the weakening Ottoman Empire and its rebellious Christian subjects. Russia's ambitions in the Balkans and its potential pan-Slavist policy, which aimed to unite all Slavonic-speaking peoples under the Tsar's leadership, caused concern in Austria-Hungary. This led Austria-Hungary to pursue an anti-Slavic policy and seek alliances with other powers, such as Germany, to counter Russian influence. Despite these tensions, there were also periods of cooperation and alliance between the two empires, particularly in their mutual interest in preserving the status quo in the Balkans and their shared hostility towards revolutionary movements.
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The Soviet occupation of Austria after World War II
The Soviet occupation of Austria, which lasted from 1945 to 1955, occurred as a result of World War II and the preceding annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. The Soviet Union suffered significant losses during the war with Nazi Germany, with an estimated 11.4 to 14.6 million military casualties. In 1945, troops from the 2nd and 3rd Ukrainian Fronts of the Red Army approached Austria's border from Hungary, marking the beginning of the Soviet occupation.
During the occupation, the Soviet Union focused on economic exploitation rather than imposing a communist dictatorship. They expropriated over 450 formerly German-owned businesses, and by 1955, most of these companies were close to bankruptcy. The Soviets also arrested and prosecuted Austrians for various charges, including war crimes, espionage, and violent acts. By the time the Red Army withdrew in 1955, they had arrested approximately 2,400 Austrians, with 1,250 prosecuted.
The Austrian population experienced looting, raping, and hunger during the war and occupation. Calorie rations for urban Austrians decreased significantly, and the assistance of the Allies, particularly the USA, became crucial in providing food and humanitarian aid. The Marshall Plan, funded by the USA, provided significant financial aid to Austria, contributing to the recovery of heavy industries and the national income.
Austria was divided into four occupation zones, with the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France as the occupying powers. Vienna, the capital, was also subdivided, with a collective administration in its central district. The Soviet Union's occupation policies in Austria aimed to liberate the country from Nazi influence and restore its independence within its pre-1938 boundaries. This agreement among the occupying powers included the demilitarization, denazification, and democratic reconstruction of Austria.
In 1955, Austria was granted full independence after pledging perpetual neutrality in the Cold War confrontation between the West and the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union withdrew its troops, and Austria was able to reintegrate into Western Europe, benefiting significantly from the Marshall Plan and improved relations with Western powers.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 1800s, Russia and Austria had competing interests in the Balkans, which led to tensions between the two empires. Russia wanted to unite all Slavonic-speaking peoples under the Tsar's leadership, while Austria wanted to prevent the emergence of a large Slavic state in the region. This disagreement, known as the Eastern Question, was a major source of conflict between the two empires.
After the Franco-Prussian War, France formed an alliance with Russia, which led to further tensions with Austria-Hungary. Austria-Hungary also had to deal with a new major power in Europe, as Prussia gained control of Alsace-Lorraine. To counter the growing influence of Russia and France, Austria-Hungary formed a Dual Alliance with Germany in 1879, pledging to support each other in the event of Russian aggression.
The assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was a key event that led to the outbreak of World War I. Austria accused Serbia, a pro-Russian country, of plotting the assassination and threatened invasion. Russia rapidly mobilized its forces to support Serbia, contributing to revolutions within Russia and huge losses on the Eastern Front. By the end of World War I, both the Russian and Austro-Hungarian Empires had collapsed.
During World War II, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany and became an integral part of the Third Reich. After the war, Austria was occupied by the Allied armies, including the Soviet Union, and divided into four zones. The Soviets occupied the country until 1955, during which time they faced challenges due to wild looting, sexual assaults, and the birth of thousands of "soldier's children." Austria was eventually released from occupation after promising to remain neutral in the Cold War.
