Damon Mcknight
Austria has a long and complex history, with the first traces of human settlement dating back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age). The area was invaded by the Celts around 400 BC and then annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. In 996 AD, the name 'Ostarrîchi' (Austria) was first used when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. Over the centuries, Austria's borders and political status changed numerous times, with the country being occupied by various tribes and empires, including the Bavarians, the Franks, and the Habsburg monarchy. In 1918, after World War I, the First Austrian Republic was established, marking the end of the Habsburg dynasty. However, in 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, only regaining its independence in 1945 after World War II. Since then, Austria has remained a neutral country, becoming the Second Austrian Republic in 1955 and joining the European Union in 1995.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First traces of human settlement | Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age) |
| First recorded use of the name "Austria" | 996 AD |
| Became a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria | 996 AD |
| Became an independent duchy of the Holy Roman Empire | 1156 |
| Became an archduchy | 1453 |
| Annexed by Nazi Germany | 1938 |
| Regained sovereignty | 1945 |
| Declared independence from Nazi Germany | 27 April 1945 |
| Joined the European Union | 1995 |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's ancient history
The territory of present-day Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period, with the first traces of human settlement dating back to the Middle Paleolithic era during the time of the Neanderthals. The oldest traces of human habitation in Austria, dating back more than 250,000 years, were discovered in the Repolust Cave at Badl, near Peggau in Styria. Upper Paleolithic remains are more numerous in Lower Austria, with some of the best-known sites in the Wachau region, including the figurative representations of women, the Venus of Galgenberg and the Venus of Willendorf, which are among the oldest pieces of art in Austria.
Around 1100 BCE to 450 BCE, during the early Iron Age, Austria was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture, which established the kingdom of Noricum, the first "state" on Austrian territory known by name. The city of Hallstatt, located in the Austrian region of Salzkammergut, has the oldest archaeological evidence of the Celts in Europe. The kingdom of Noricum included most of modern-day Austria and parts of modern-day Slovenia.
In the late Iron Age, around 400 BCE, Celtic tribes invaded the eastern Alps and established the kingdom of Noricum. This kingdom was later conquered by the Roman Empire in 16 BCE and made into a province called Noricum, which lasted until 476 CE. The regions of today's Austria that were not located within the province of Noricum were divided between the Roman provinces of Pannonia and Raetia.
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE, the area that is now Austria was invaded by various Germanic tribes, including the Bavarii, the Alemanni, and the Ostrogoths, who established their own kingdoms. During the Migration Period, in the 6th century, the Bavarii, a Germanic people, occupied these lands until they fell to the Frankish Empire in the 9th century. Charlemagne, King of the Franks, conquered the area in 788, encouraged colonisation, and introduced Christianity.
In 976, the area that is now Austria became a prefecture of Bavaria, known as the Eastern March, under the rule of Leopold of Babenberg. The first recorded instance of the name "Austria" appeared in a document from 996, written as "Ostarrîchi", referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. The Babenbergs ruled over a relatively small area of modern-day Austria and embarked on a programme of consolidating their power base by employing indentured servants and founding towns and monasteries.
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Austria's modern history
Austria's history covers the country and its predecessor states. In the late Iron Age, around 800 BC, Austria was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture. 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. The Romans built many Austrian cities that survive today, including Vindobona (Vienna), Juvavum (Salzburg), and Brigantium (Bregenz).
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the area was invaded by the Germanic Rugii, who made it part of their "Rugiland". In 487, most of modern Austria was conquered by Odoacer, a barbarian soldier and statesman from the Middle Danube, who incorporated it into his Kingdom of Italy. By 493, it was conquered by the Germanic Ostrogoths, who created their own kingdom, the Ostrogothic Kingdom. Following the fall of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, the area was invaded by the Alemanni, Baiuvarii, Slavs, and Avars.
In 788, Charlemagne, King of the Franks, conquered the area, encouraged colonisation, and introduced Christianity. As part of Eastern Francia, the core areas that now encompass Austria were bequeathed to the House of Babenberg. The area was known as the marchia Orientalis and was given to Leopold of Babenberg in 976. The first record showing the name Austria is from 996, where it is written as ""Ostarrîchi", referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. In 1156, Austria was elevated to the status of a duchy.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Habsburgs began to accumulate other provinces in the vicinity of the Duchy of Austria. In 1477, Archduke Maximilian, the only son of Emperor Frederick III, married the heiress Maria of Burgundy, thus acquiring most of the Netherlands for his family. In 1526, following the Battle of Mohács, Bohemia and the part of Hungary not occupied by the Ottomans came under Austrian rule. Ottoman expansion into Hungary led to frequent conflicts between the two empires.
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. When this empire collapsed after World War I in 1918, Austria was reduced to its main, mostly German-speaking areas and adopted the name the Republic of German-Austria. However, union with Germany and the chosen country name were forbidden by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles. This led to the creation of the First Austrian Republic in 1919.
In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. After World War II, Austria was occupied by the Western Allies and the Soviets until 1955, when it regained its sovereignty and declared its perpetual neutrality. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.
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Austria's geography
Austria is a country in Central Europe that covers an area of 83,878 square kilometres. It is bordered by eight countries: Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein. The native name for Austria, Österreich, means "eastern realm" in Old High German.
Austria's landscape is characterised by mountains and forests, with approximately 60% of its territory being mountainous. The country is part of the Eastern Alps, including the Tyrol Central Alps, Hohe Tauern, and Niedere Tauern. The Granite and Gneiss Plateau, part of the Bohemian Massif, is geologically the oldest part of Austria. The Danube River, the country's longest river, flows through the northeastern part of the country, winding between the Eastern Alps and the hills of Bohemia and Moravia.
The climate in Austria is transitional, with a typical Central European maritime climate in the west and north, and a drier, continental climate in the northeast and east. The east of the country exhibits a Pannonian climate, with warm to hot summers, relatively low precipitation, and cold winters.
The most densely populated areas of Austria are the large plains, such as the Alpine Foreland and the Vienna Basin in the east, and the Graz Basin in southern Styria. The capital of Austria is Vienna, which is renowned for its architecture and was once the seat of the Holy Roman Empire.
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Austria's government
Early History
During the Iron Age, around 800 BC, the region now known as Austria was inhabited by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture. The Celtic Kingdom of Noricum, which encompassed much of modern-day Austria and parts of Slovenia, fell under Roman rule in 16 BC and became the province of Noricum. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the region was invaded by various Germanic tribes and later became part of the Frankish Empire in the 9th century.
Medieval and Habsburg Rule
In the 10th century, the area was known as the marchia Orientalis and was given to Leopold of Babenberg in 976. The first recorded use of the name "Austria" (then written as "Ostarrîchi") appeared in 996. In 1156, Austria was elevated to a duchy, and in 1453, it became an archduchy within the Holy Roman Empire. From the 13th century onwards, the House of Habsburg dominated Austria, making it a major imperial power in Central Europe.
The Austrian Empire and World Wars
In 1806, Emperor Francis II dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria became the Austrian Empire. After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and Austria was reduced to its current frontiers. The Republic of German-Austria was proclaimed in 1918, followed by the First Austrian Republic in 1919. The interwar period saw the rise of Austrofascism, led by Engelbert Dollfuss, who sought to maintain Austria's independence from Germany. However, in 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Nazi Germany, with significant support from Austrians.
Post-World War II to Present
After World War II, Austria was occupied by the Allies, and a provisional Austrian national unity government under State Chancellor Karl Renner declared the annexation by Germany null and void. In 1955, Austria regained its sovereignty and declared its neutrality, becoming the Second Austrian Republic. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.
Today, Austria is a semi-presidential representative democracy. The government, formally known as the Council of Ministers or "Ministerrat," is led by a chancellor who presides over cabinet meetings. Each federal minister oversees their own ministry and may be supported by state secretaries. The Federal President plays a crucial role in approving legislation and dissolving state legislatures. Austria's federal structure includes state governments, known as "Landesregierungen," headed by governors ("Landeshauptmann" or "Landeshauptfrau").
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Austria in World Wars I and II
Austria was a major imperial power in Central Europe for centuries and, from the 16th century, Vienna served as the Holy Roman Empire's administrative capital. From 1273 to 1918, Austria was dominated by the House of Habsburg and House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
World War I
Austria-Hungary was one of the Central Powers during World War I, along with the German Empire and the Ottoman Empire. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was the catalyst for the conflict, with Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia, which was backed by Russia. This led to a series of counter-mobilizations, drawing more countries into the war. Austria-Hungary fought the Allies in Serbia, on the Eastern Front, in Italy, and in Romania. The empire suffered severe casualties, and the collapse of the Italian front led to the acceptance of the Armistice of Villa Giusti on 3 November 1918. The war effort was hampered by the Austro-Hungarian military's disconnect from the civilian population, which resulted in food shortages and a struggling industrial sector that could not keep up with the demand for munitions.
Interwar Period
The collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I in 1918 led to Austria being reduced to its current frontiers, and it adopted the name the Republic of German-Austria. Union with Germany was forbidden by the Allies at the Treaty of Versailles, and this led to the creation of the First Austrian Republic in 1919. During the interwar period, Austrofascism emerged, seeking to keep Austria independent from Germany. Engelbert Dollfuss accepted that most Austrians were German and Austrian but wanted to maintain independence from Germany.
World War II
In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. Austria became a sub-national division of Nazi Germany and its economy and society were modernized and rationalized due to the German presence. During World War II, a minority of Austrians resisted the Hitler regime, but most Austrians welcomed the German invasion and participated in the war. After the war, Austria was occupied by the Allies until 1955, when it regained its sovereignty and declared its neutrality.
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Frequently asked questions
The first traces of human settlement in Austria date back to the Lower Paleolithic Period (Old Stone Age).
Austria became a unified state at the end of the first millennium.
Austria became independent from Nazi Germany on 27 April 1945. However, it was only freed from occupation by the Western Allies and the Soviet Union in 1955.
Austria joined the European Union in 1995.
Austria became a republic in 1919, following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I.
