Lexi Webster
The history of Austria is a complex and fascinating one, with the territory understood by the term 'Austria' undergoing drastic changes over time. The area that is now Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period, with evidence of human habitation dating back to the Middle Paleolithic era during the time of the Neanderthals. Around 400 BC, the region was inhabited by the Celts and was later annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. Christianization in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries, followed by the arrival of Germanic tribes during the Migration Period. Austria's status and influence evolved over the centuries, from being a prefecture of Bavaria in 976 to gaining Duchy status in 1156, and eventually becoming an official archduchy of the Holy Roman Empire in 1453. The country has been shaped by various influential clans, including the Babenbergs and the Habsburgs, who systematically increased their power and holdings over time. The Habsburg Dynasty, in particular, left a significant mark on Austria's history, with Vienna becoming the Holy Roman Empire's administrative capital in the 16th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First ruler | Leopold I, also known as Leopold the Illustrious |
| Date of first ruler | 976 |
| End date of first ruler | 994 |
| First name of territory | Austria |
| Alternative name of territory | Austrian Eastern March or Bavarian Eastern March |
| First name of territory's forerunner | Ostmark |
| Alternative name of territory's forerunner | Eastern March |
| Date territory was first referred to as "Ostarrichi" | 996 |
| Translation of "Ostarrichi" | "Eastern Kingdom" or "Eastern Realm" |
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Austria's name
The name Austria, or Österreich in German, has a long and fascinating history. The native name for Austria, Österreich, derives from the Old High German Ostarrîchi, which meant "eastern realm". This name first appeared in the "Ostarrîchi document" in 996. The word is probably a translation of Medieval Latin Marchia orientalis into a local (Bavarian) dialect. The area that is now Austria was settled in pre-Roman times by various Celtic tribes, having been the core of the Hallstatt culture by the 6th century BC. The Celtic name for the area was Norig, which also meant "eastern realm". This was eventually Latinised to Noricum after the Romans conquered the area in around 15 BC.
The shorter Latinised name, Austria, is first recorded in the 12th century. In English usage, "Austria" has been used since the early 17th century. All Germanic languages other than English have names for Austria corresponding to Österreich. For example, in Danish it is Østrig, in Dutch it is Oostenrijk, and in Swedish it is Österrike. The name Austria or a phonetic derivative has been adopted in many other languages, including Hungarian, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Maltese, Ukrainian, and Russian.
The territory understood by the term 'Austria' has changed drastically over time. Only two of the nine provinces of the Republic of Austria, Lower and Upper Austria, are strictly 'Austria'. Other parts of its former sovereign territory are now part of countries such as Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, and the Czech Republic.
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Roman annexation
The territory that is now Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period, with human habitation dating back to the Middle Paleolithic era during the time of the Neanderthals. Around 400 BC, the area was inhabited by the Celts, who were the core of the Hallstatt culture by the 6th century BC.
The Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which included most of modern Austria and parts of modern Slovenia, was conquered by the Roman Empire in 16 BC and made into a province called Noricum, which lasted until 476. The Roman annexation of the region began in the late 1st century BC, and Christianization in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries during the late Roman period. The Roman Empire brought Noricum into its fold as a province, marking the first formal inclusion of the territory in a larger political entity. This province was established in 16 BC and endured until 476, witnessing the region's Christianization in the 4th and 5th centuries.
The Roman Empire's influence in the region, known as the Noricum province, endured until 476. Following the decline of the Roman Empire, various Germanic tribes migrated into the area during the Migration Period. In the 8th century, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks and eventual Holy Roman Emperor, established a territory in the Danube valley known as the Ostmark (Eastern March). In 976, Leopold I of the Babenberg family became the margrave of Ostmark, marking the beginning of their rule over the region. The Ostmark was first referred to as "Ostarrichi", a forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich" (Austria), in 996.
In 1156, Austria gained "Duchy" status, becoming a frontier march of the Holy Roman Empire. This elevated status granted the Babenberg family, who ruled at the time, a range of privileges. The Duchy of Austria was one of the extensive feudal possessions of the Babenberg family between 976 and 1246. During this period, they established their residences in Pöchlarn and later moved to Melk in the scenic Wachau region.
In 1282, the Duchy of Austria was passed to the Habsburg Dynasty, marking the start of their long rule over the region. Over the centuries, the Habsburgs strategically expanded their influence and power through marriages and political alliances. They became the heartland of the Habsburg monarchy from the late 13th century, and Austria emerged as a major imperial power in Central Europe.
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Christianisation
The territory that is now known as Austria underwent various changes over time, and the term 'Austria' has had different meanings throughout history. The country was first established in 976 when Otto I established a new Bavarian Eastern March, subsequently known as Austria, under Leopold, count of Babenberg. This marked the beginning of the Christianisation of Austria.
Historically, Austria has been a strongly Roman Catholic country, serving as the centre of the Habsburg monarchy, which championed Roman Catholicism. The Habsburgs viewed themselves as the vanguard of Catholicism. However, in the 16th century, with the spread of the Protestant Reformation across Europe, a significant number of Austrians converted to other denominations, particularly Lutheranism. By the Council of Trent in 1545, almost half of the Austrian population had converted to Lutheranism, while a smaller minority endorsed Calvinism.
In response to the spread of Protestantism, the Habsburgs enacted measures of Counter-Reformation as early as 1527. They imposed a strict regime to restore the influence of the Catholic Church among Austrians, and their campaign proved successful. This period saw the emergence of new institutions such as the Imperial Chamber Court and the Reichsregiment or Imperial government, which met in Nuremberg but was dissolved in 1502.
The Counter-Reformation in Austria was characterised by persuasion rather than force, with the Jesuits and Peter Canisius taking the lead. The process was influenced by the tolerant attitude of Ferdinand I, who deeply regretted the failure to reconcile religious differences before his death in 1564. Despite the success of the Counter-Reformation, a minority of Austrians remained Protestant, particularly in Upper Austria, where the Protestants had their strongest hold.
In the late 1690s, the end of the Turkish threat to Vienna allowed for a surge in arts and culture, with the construction of splendid edifices and the work of renowned architects. Under the rule of Empress Maria Theresia (1717-1780), the Habsburg holdings were reformed and united, continuing under her son Joseph II.
In recent times, Austria has witnessed a decline in Christianity and a proliferation of other religions, particularly in the capital state of Vienna. Between the censuses of 1971 and 2021, Christianity declined from 93.8% to 68.2% of the Austrian population. During the same period, Islam grew from 0.2% to 8.3% of the population, and the proportion of people unaffiliated with any religion increased from 4.3% to 22.4%.
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Austrian Archduchy
The Archduchy of Austria was a major principality of the Holy Roman Empire, with its capital in Vienna. The present name, "Österreich", originates from the Frankish term "Oustrich", meaning Eastern Kingdom (east of the Frankish kingdom).
The Archduchy of Austria developed out of the Bavarian Margraviate of Austria, which was elevated to the Duchy of Austria in 1156 by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. In 1282, the House of Habsburg came to the Austrian throne in Vienna. In 1358, Duke Rudolf IV claimed the archducal title, but his attempts failed as the elevation was rejected by the Luxembourg emperor, Charles IV.
In 1453, Emperor Frederick III, who was also the ruler of Austria, officially adopted the archducal title. From the 15th century onwards, all Holy Roman Emperors, except one, were Austrian archdukes. In 1526, the acquisition of the Bohemian and Hungarian crown lands further expanded the Archduchy.
In 1778, during the War of the Bavarian Succession, Austrian forces occupied the Innviertel region and incorporated it into the archducal lands. In 1803, the Austrian archdukes also acquired rule over the Electorate of Salzburg and the Berchtesgaden Provostry.
The Archduchy of Austria continued to exist as a constituent crown land within the Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806. After the Empire's dissolution, Emperor Francis II established the Austrian Empire in 1804.
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World War I
The Austrian-Hungarian Empire played a significant role in the events leading up to World War I and during the war itself. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, on June 28, 1914, in Sarajevo, was a pivotal moment that intensified ethnic hostilities and ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I. This assassination was carried out by Slavic militants in Bosnia who opposed Austria's plan to fully absorb the area. The Austrian authorities responded by encouraging violence against Serb residents in Sarajevo, resulting in anti-Serb riots and the killing of two Catholic Croats and Bosnian Muslims. Similar violent actions against Serbs were organized in other Austro-Hungarian cities.
The Austro-Hungarian monarchy, with its dual nature, was marked by ethnic tensions and a rigid system of alliances. The decision-making of the Habsburg elite, who ruled the empire, during the Balkan Wars has been scrutinized, with some arguing that they made crucial choices leading to the war in 1914. The disasters of those wars and the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, a force for peace, convinced the Habsburgs that a war against Serbia was necessary to end the South Slav threat to their monarchy. Additionally, Russia's assertive foreign policy after 1912 played a role in shaping the Habsburgs' decisions.
The Austrian-Hungarian Empire's involvement in World War I ended in collapse. The armistice between the Allies and Austria-Hungary was signed on November 3, 1918, and took effect on November 4. Per its terms, Austria-Hungary was required to evacuate occupied territories and specific regions, and all German forces were to be expelled or interned. The empire's forces suffered defeats, and the last Habsburg emperor, Charles I, renounced his right to govern, leading to the establishment of the First Republic of Austria and ending the 640-year-old Habsburg dynasty.
The war had significant economic and social repercussions for the First Republic of Austria. The young republic faced massive inflation, high unemployment, and near economic collapse. The end of the war in 1918 marked a turning point, and the country struggled to recover from the conflict's aftermath. The Austro-Hungarian Army was notable for its regular promotion of Jews to positions of command before World War I, which set it apart from other major European powers' militaries. However, antisemitic parties and movements existed, and while the governments of Vienna and Budapest did not initiate pogroms or official antisemitic policies, they did contribute to ethnic tensions.
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Frequently asked questions
The territory now known as Austria has changed drastically over time. The first mention of a ruler in the eastern territories was of Burchard, who was probably the count of Regensburg. In 976, his successor, Leopold I of the House of Babenberg, came into power.
Leopold I, also known as Leopold the Illustrious, ruled Austria from 976 to 994.
The Babenbergs were a noble family from Bavaria who were given control of the region in 976. They expanded their power and became one of the empire's leading families.
Austria gained Duchy status in 1156, and the territory was given to the House of Habsburg in 1282.
On March 13, 1938, Austria was annexed by the Third Reich and lost its independence.
