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Bavaria and Austria have a long shared history, with both regions having been part of the Roman Empire for 400 years. In the early 19th century, Bavaria lost territories it had gained from Austria following Napoleon's defeat in 1814. The two regions were also involved in several wars against each other, including the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-79), the War of the Spanish Succession, and the War of the Austrian Succession. In 1866, Bavaria and Austria were allies in the Austro-Prussian War, after which Bavaria joined the German Empire in 1871, despite the controversy of this decision among Bavarian nationalists who wanted to retain independence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| When did Bavaria become part of Austria? | In 1156 AD, the district between the Enns and the Inn became part of Austria. |
| When else was Bavaria part of Austria? | In 1799, Bavaria was occupied by Austria. |
| When was Austria defeated by Bavaria? | In 1805, Bavaria acquired approximately its current boundaries by defeating Austria in the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779). |
| When did Austria defeat Bavaria? | In 1704, Bavaria was defeated at the Battle of Blenheim and its dominions were partitioned between Austria and the elector palatine. |
| When did Austria and Bavaria fight? | In 1866, during the Austro-Prussian War. |
| When did Bavaria reject being part of Austria? | In 1871, when all the south German states except Austria joined the German Empire. |
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What You'll Learn
The district between the Enns and the Inn became part of Austria in 1156
The history of the region is complex and marked by numerous territorial changes. For example, in the mid-13th century, the area north of the Enns river became known as the Principality above the Enns River (Fürstentum ob der Enns). In 1490, the region gained a measure of independence within the Holy Roman Empire, with the status of a principality.
The rivalry between Prussia and Austria also influenced the region's history. After the rise of Prussia in the early 18th century, Bavaria preserved its independence by playing off their rivalry. Despite this, Bavaria allied with Austria and was defeated alongside them in the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. As a result, Bavaria did not join the North German Confederation formed in 1867. However, when France declared war on Prussia in 1870, Bavaria joined the Prussian forces, ultimately becoming part of the German Empire in 1871.
The Napoleonic Wars also impacted the region. With Napoleon's defeat in 1814, Bavaria lost territories it had gained from Austria but received new territories as compensation, such as the Grand Duchy of Würzburg and parts of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. In 1815, Bavaria was allowed to annex the modern-day region of Palatinate to the west of the Rhine and Franconia.
In addition to these territorial shifts, Bavaria's economic and political ties influenced its relationship with Austria. Bavaria has strong economic ties with Austria and other countries like Czechia, Switzerland, and Italy. Politically, Bavaria and Austria have found themselves on opposing sides at various points in history, such as during the War of the Spanish Succession and the War of the Austrian Succession.
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Austria and Bavaria were allies in the early 19th century
Bavaria and Austria have a long history of complex political relations. While the two nations were never officially part of each other, they share a border and have frequently been allies and adversaries over the centuries.
In the early 19th century, Bavaria and Austria were allies, with Bavaria becoming a kingdom in 1806 thanks to its alliance with Austria and Napoleonic France. This was a period of significant political upheaval in the region, with the rise of Napoleon's France leading to the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the formation of the Confederation of the Rhine, which Bavaria joined. The Duchy of Jülich was ceded to France, and the County of Tyrol and the federal state of Salzburg were temporarily annexed with Bavaria. In return, Bavaria was allowed to annex the modern-day region of Palatinate to the west of the Rhine and Franconia in 1815.
Bavaria's alignment with France during the Napoleonic Wars caused tensions with Austria, and the two nations became adversaries during the latter part of the conflict. Bavaria played a crucial role in the Battle of Wagram against Austria and suffered significant losses in the Russian campaign of 1812. However, before the Battle of Leipzig in 1813, Bavaria joined the Allied camp, securing victories over their former allies at Arcis-sur-Aube and Bar-sur-Aube in 1814.
In the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, Bavaria lost the territories it had gained from Austria, including the Austrian province of Tyrol, which had been the subject of a rebellion under Andreas Hofer in 1809. Despite these losses, Bavaria remained a powerful kingdom, ranking third in Germany behind Prussia and Austria in terms of size and power.
In the mid-19th century, Bavaria and Austria found themselves on opposing sides once again during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Bavaria sided with Austria but was defeated, and as a result, had to cede several Lower Franconian districts to Prussia. This marked a shift in Bavaria's allegiances, as it began to move towards Prussia and eventually joined the German Empire in 1871, becoming a federated state of the new empire.
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Austria occupied Bavaria in 1799
Austria and Bavaria have a long history of conflict, rivalry, and occupation. The two regions have been in conflict over succession, territory, and political influence.
In 1799, Austria occupied Bavaria in preparation for renewing the war with France. This occupation occurred after the French Revolutionary Army overran the Palatinate in 1793 and invaded Bavaria in 1795, advancing to Munich and laying siege to Ingolstadt. The Bavarian ruler, Charles Theodore, fled to Saxony, leaving a regency that signed a convention with the French. Before his death on February 16, 1799, the Austrians occupied Bavaria once more.
The occupation of Bavaria by Austrian troops in 1799 was part of a larger context of conflict and shifting alliances between Bavaria, Austria, Prussia, and France. This dynamic led to various territorial changes and political realignments in the region. The War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779) had already pitted Austria and Prussia against each other, with Austria seeking to acquire Bavaria and Prussia supporting another branch of the Wittelsbachs, the Bavarian royal family.
Bavaria's alliance with Austria against Prussia in the 19th century further highlights the complex relationships in the region. This alliance, solidified in 1850 during a diplomatic crisis, aimed to isolate Prussia in German political affairs. However, Bavaria's alignment shifted when it joined the Prussian forces against France in the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, ultimately joining the German Empire in 1871, which excluded Austria.
Throughout its history, Bavaria has navigated complex political dynamics and shifting alliances with neighboring powers, including Austria, Prussia, and France. The Austrian occupation of Bavaria in 1799 was a significant event within this broader context of rivalry, warfare, and shifting allegiances.
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Austria and Bavaria fought in the War of the Spanish Succession
The War of the Spanish Succession was a conflict over the heir to the Spanish throne, which took place between 1701 and 1714. The childless king, Charles II of Spain, had willed all his possessions to a Bourbon prince—a grandson of Louis XIV of France. All those who disliked the idea of French hegemony in Europe consequently united against the French.
The Holy Roman Emperor, Leopold I, was the first to declare war in 1701, and was immediately supported by Brandenburg-Prussia and Hanover. In the spring of 1702, England and Holland joined the war in the Grand Alliance against France. Louis XIV was able to win the electoral princes of Bavaria and Cologne as his allies. The Wittelsbach-controlled states of Bavaria, Liège, and Cologne allied with France, as did Milan, the Spanish Netherlands, and Mantua.
Bavaria's alliance with France during the War of the Spanish Succession was part of a broader diplomatic strategy. In the early 18th century, Bavaria preserved its independence by playing off the rivalry of Prussia and Austria. In the War of the Spanish Succession, Bavaria's alliance with France was also influenced by the ambitions and intrigues of the Austrian court, which sought to exert influence over the lesser German states. Bavaria's alliance with France during this period helped to lay the foundations of centralized administrative structures that survived the monarchy and remained valid until the 21st century.
The war resulted in the partitioning of the dominions of Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, between Austria and the Elector Palatine by the Treaty of Ilbersheim. However, these territories were eventually restored to him at the Treaty of Baden in 1714. The war also resulted in the acquisition of new territories for Bavaria, including the Grand Duchy of Würzburg, the Grand Duchy of Frankfurt, and parts of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The Rhenish Palatinate was also given to Bavaria by the Treaty of Munich.
In the aftermath of the war, Bavaria became increasingly aligned with Austria. In 1733, Bavaria and Austria were united in opposition to Prussia during the War of the Polish Succession. In 1735, Bavaria accepted the Pragmatic Sanction, recognizing the right of Maria Theresa to succeed her father, Emperor Charles VI, as ruler of the Habsburg monarchy. In 1740, the War of the Austrian Succession broke out, with France, Prussia, and Bavaria challenging Habsburg power, while Maria Theresa was backed by Britain, the Dutch Republic, and Hanover. In 1743, Bavaria and Austria were again on the same side, as part of a pact of mutual defence against Prussia.
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Austria and Bavaria were rivals, not friends
Austria and Bavaria have historically been rivals, with Bavaria prioritising its independence and seeking to play Prussia and Austria against each other. The two nations have also been on opposing sides in several wars, including the War of the Spanish Succession, the Napoleonic Wars, and the Austro-Prussian War.
Historical Ties
Austria and Bavaria were both part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was mostly led by Austria itself. During this period, the two nations shared close ties, with the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians) establishing the Duchy of Bavaria in 555, which included the March of Pannonia that would become Austria in c. 970. However, in 1156, Bavaria and Austria separated, with Austria becoming a sovereign state.
Rivalry and Wars
Despite their shared history and proximity, Austria and Bavaria have traditionally been rivals rather than friends. Bavaria has sought to preserve its independence and has often aligned itself with France, due to their similar Celtic/Roman/German heritage. In the centuries before German unification, Bavaria saw Austria as a significant threat to its sovereignty, particularly during the War of the Spanish Succession and the Napoleonic Wars.
During the early and mid-18th century, the ambitions of the Bavarian prince electors led to several wars with Austria, including the War of the Austrian Succession, where Bavaria sought to elect a Wittelsbach emperor instead of a Habsburg. In 1803, Bavaria signed a separate treaty of peace and alliance with France, further straining its relationship with Austria.
The Austro-Prussian War
In the 19th century, the rivalry between Austria and Bavaria intensified during the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. Bavaria sided with Austria, and as a result of their defeat, had to cede several Lower Franconian districts to Prussia. This loss contributed to Bavaria's increasing alignment with Prussia and its desire to join the German Empire, despite opposition from Bavarian nationalists who wanted to maintain their independence.
While Austria and Bavaria share cultural and historical ties, their relationship has been characterised by rivalry and competing interests. Bavaria's focus on maintaining its independence and its alliances with other powers, such as France, have often put it at odds with Austria. The two nations have been on opposing sides in several conflicts, and their dynamic has been shaped by the broader power struggles within the Holy Roman Empire and the emergence of Prussia as a dominant force.
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Frequently asked questions
In 1156 AD, after the dispute over the Bavarian succession ended, the district between the Enns and the Inn became part of Austria.
Austria occupied Bavaria in 1799.
No, Bavaria did not become part of Austria after the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. Instead, it became part of the newly formed German Empire in 1871.
Bavaria and Austria shared religious, historical, and linguistic ties, but they were also rivals. While some Bavarian nationalists wanted to retain independence from the rest of Germany, others wanted to join a larger entity for monetary reasons, protection, or power.
Bavaria and Austria were allies during the Punctation of Olmütz in 1850, when they moved troops towards Hesse-Kassel. They also fought together during the War of the Bavarian Succession (1778-1779) to prevent Prussia from incorporating a large part of Bavaria.
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