Lexi Webster
Before World War I, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a union between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. The empire was geographically the second-largest country in Europe and the third most populous. It was formed in 1867 and collapsed in 1918 following its defeat in World War I. The territory of present-day Austria has a long history of habitation, with evidence of settlement dating back to the Paleolithic period. Over the centuries, it has been inhabited by various tribes and empires, including the Celts, Romans, and Germanic tribes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Austria-Hungary |
| Type | Empire |
| Geography | Second-largest country in Europe |
| Population | Third-most populous in Europe |
| Population (worldwide) | Among the 10 most populous countries |
| Industries | Fourth-largest machine-building industry in the world |
| Telephone calls | 568 million in 1913 |
| Political Entities | Duchy of Austria, Kingdom of Hungary |
| Government | Dual Monarchy |
| Date of Formation | 1867 |
| Date of Dissolution | 1918 |
| Causes of Dissolution | Defeat and collapse due to World War I |
| Post-Dissolution | Austria became an independent republic |
| Post-WWII | Restored to 1937 frontiers and occupied by the Allies |
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What You'll Learn
Austria-Hungary
Before World War I, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, also known as the Dual Monarchy or the Habsburg Monarchy. This empire was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe that existed from 1867 until its collapse after World War I in 1918.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed through a compromise agreement between Vienna and Budapest in 1867, following the Austro-Prussian War and wars of independence by Hungary against Habsburg rule. It consisted of two sovereign states, Austria and Hungary, ruled by a single monarch who held the titles of Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. Each of the two monarchies retained a degree of autonomy, with their own parliament, prime ministers, cabinet, and domestic self-government. The empire spanned almost 700,000 square kilometres and had a population of 52 million people, making it the second-largest country in Europe by territory and the third-largest by population.
The 19th century was a period of economic growth for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During this time, the empire shed its feudal remnants and embraced capitalist institutions, with the establishment of banking, industry, and manufacturing. The National Austro-Hungarian Bank was formed to supply credit and investment funds and facilitate financial links between the two halves of the empire. Manufacturing and industrial production thrived in the western half, while the eastern half remained predominantly agricultural.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a major European power and, like Germany, was rapidly modernising under the rule of ambitious militarists and industrialists. This led to expansionist ambitions, particularly in the Balkans, which created rivalry and tension with neighbouring Russia, a self-proclaimed guardian power of Slavs and Orthodox Christians in Eastern Europe. The assassination of Francis Ferdinand by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in 1914 further escalated these tensions and ultimately triggered World War I, which destroyed the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
In the aftermath of World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and Austria became an independent republic. Several ethnic minorities within the empire, including the Czechoslovaks, Yugoslavs, and Hungarians, declared their independence. Emperor Charles I abdicated on November 12, 1918, and an Austrian Republic was proclaimed the following day.
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The Austrian Empire
The origins of the Austrian Empire can be traced back to 976 when Leopold von Babenberg became the margrave of the Ostmark, and the Duchy of Austria became one of the extensive feudal possessions of the Babenberg family. The Babenberg dynasty established their first residence in Pöchlarn before moving to Melk in the scenic Wachau region. In the 12th century, Henry II moved his residence to Vienna, which has remained the capital of Austria ever since. The construction of St. Stephen's Cathedral in the 12th century also solidified Vienna's prominence.
In the following centuries, Bavarian settlers moved down the Danube and up the Alps, gradually transforming Austria into a predominantly German-speaking country. The Germanic tribe of the Bavarii, or Bavarians, had already been developing in the west of the country and in later-known Bavaria since the 5th and 6th centuries. The Carantanians, a Slavic tribe, migrated westward into the Eastern Alps in the 7th century, establishing the realm of Carantania (later Carinthia), which covered much of eastern and central Austrian territory.
In 1804, Francis II, the last of the Holy Roman Emperors, proclaimed himself Emperor of Austria as Francis I, marking the official beginning of the Austrian Empire. Two years later, in 1806, Francis II dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria became part of the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. After the war, Austria was expelled from the German Confederation and formed a dual monarchy with Hungary in 1867, creating the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed after World War I in 1918, leading to the proclamation of the Republic of German-Austria and the First Austrian Republic in 1919. The empire's defeat and collapse resulted in significant territorial losses for Austria, reducing it to its current frontiers, primarily the German-speaking areas of the former empire. The Allies forbade union with Germany and the chosen country name, leading to the creation of the First Austrian Republic.
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The Holy Roman Empire
The origins of the Holy Roman Empire can be traced back to Charlemagne, who took control of the Frankish dominion in 768. On Christmas Day, 800, Charlemagne had himself crowned "emperor of the Romans" in Rome, with the support of Pope Leo III. This revived the title of Roman emperor more than three centuries after the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476. However, under Charlemagne's grandsons, the Frankish realm disintegrated, and the empire was split into three parts: the Kingdom of West Francia (which would become medieval France), Middle Francia or Lotharingia, and East Francia (which would become the Kingdom of Germany).
In 962, with the coronation of Otto I, the "office" of the Holy Roman Emperor was formally transferred to the Kingdom of Germany, where it would remain. Otto's dynasty, known as the Ottonian or Saxon Dynasty, ruled the empire until 1024 CE. The empire continued to evolve, incorporating the Duchy of Bohemia and the Kingdom of Burgundy, and adding the imperial title of ""Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation" in 1512. Despite its long history, the Holy Roman Empire eventually dissolved, leading to the formation of new kingdoms and nations in the region.
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The Kingdom of Hungary
Before World War I, Austria and Hungary were part of the dual monarchy of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Kingdom of Hungary was the most politically stable part of the Habsburg Monarchy and exerted a strong influence on the Dual Monarchy's war plans. The Kingdom of Hungary was a significant force in Europe, with the third-largest population in Europe and the second-largest territory after the Holy Roman Empire. It consisted of present-day Hungary, Slovakia, Transylvania (Romania), Carpatho-Ruthenia (Ukraine), Vojvodina (Serbia), Burgenland (Austria), and the Kingdom of Slavonia (part of Croatia), among other smaller territories.
The question of Hungary's aims in World War I remains relatively unexplored, but it is known that the main concerns of the government in Budapest were centred around maintaining the territorial integrity of Hungary. In July 1914, Prime Minister István Tisza convinced the Monarchy's Crown Council not to demand new territories from Serbia, and the Hungarian opposition secretly considered an independent Hungary, provided its frontiers were guaranteed.
After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed, and the Kingdom of Hungary was recognised as one of its successors de jure. The Treaty of St-Germain, signed on September 10, 1919, recognised the independence of Hungary, along with Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Poland, formally dissolving the Dual Monarchy.
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The First Austrian Republic
Before World War I, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed after the war ended in 1918. In the aftermath of the war, Austria was reduced to its main, mostly German-speaking areas, and adopted the name "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. The First Austrian Republic was officially the Republic of Austria, and it lasted until 1933. The republic was created after the signing of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye on 10 September 1919, which ended the Habsburg rump state of the Republic of German-Austria. The First Austrian Republic's constitution was enacted on 1 October 1920 and amended on 7 December 1929. The new constitution created a bicameral legislature with an upper house, the Federal Council, and a lower house, the National Council. The Federal President was elected for a four-year term, while the Chancellor was elected by the National Council.
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Frequently asked questions
Before World War I, Austria was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which was the third most populous country in Europe.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a dual monarchy between the Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary. The two countries had equal power and conducted unified diplomatic and defence policies.
The Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed in 1867 and collapsed after World War I in 1918.
After the collapse of the empire, Austria became an independent republic known as the Austrian Republic or the Republic of German-Austria.
