Austrian Empire

History of Austria
Babenberger
Habsburg Monarchy
Holy Roman Empire
Austrian Empire
Austria-Hungary
First Republic
Austrofascism
Anschluss
Second Republic
Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy
Flag of the Habsburg Monarchy
The Crown Austrian Emperor, formerly Crown Holy Roman Emperor

The Austrian Empire is the name of Austria during the time from 1804 - 1867. The Austrian Empire was founded by Holy Roman Emperor Francis II as a reaction to the Napoleon I's proclamation of the First French Empire in 1804. Austria fought then against France during the Third Coalition, and, after meeting crushing defeat at Austerlitz, agreed to the Treaty of Pressburg, which in fact meant dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, weakening Austria and reorganizing Germany under a Napoleonic imprint.

On August 6, 1806 Francis von Habsburg-Lothringen at this time Holy Roman Emperor as Francis II abdicated the title due to the formation of Confederation of the Rhine by France.

The Habsburg dynasty was in possession of the title since 1440 and Austria the core of their territories.

After beating down the Hungarian rebellion in 1849 the Kingdom of Hungary also incorporated into the Empire. After leaving the German Confederation and failed attempts at constitutional reforms, the Austrian Empire was transformed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1867 under Franz Joseph I, granting equal status to the Hungarian territories, in Habsburg possession since 1541.

Contents

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The Rise of the Austrian Empire

Changes shaping a nature of the Austrian Empire took place during a conference in Rastatt (1797-1799) and Regensburg (1801-1803). On March 24 1803, the Imperial Recess (Reichsdeputationshauptschluss) was declared significantly reducing the number of clerical territories from 81 to only 3 and imperial cities from 51 to 6. This measure was aimed at replacing an old constitution of the Holy Roman Empire, but the actual consequence of the Imperial Recess was the end of the Holy Roman Empire. Taking this significant change into his consideration, Francis II left using the imperial title Holy Roman Emperor and created a new one called the Austrian Emperor.

The fall and dissolution of the Empire was accelerated by French intervention to the Holy Roman Empire in September 1805. On October 20 1805, Austrian army led by general Karl Mack von Leiberich was defeated by French armies near the town of Ulm. Great French victory resulting in a capture of 20 000 Austrian soldiers and many cannons earned a great attention in Europe. Napoleon’s army gave another example of brilliant strategy in the Battle of Austerlitz on December 2 1805. In light of those events, Francis was forced to negotiate with French from December 4 to December 6 1805. These negotiations were concluded by an armistice on December 6 1805.

French glorious victories encouraged sovereigns of certain imperial territories. On December 10 1805, the Duke of Bavaria, prince-elector (Kürfurst), proclaimed himself the king followed the Duke of Württemberg (Elector) on December 11 1805. Finally on December 12 1805, the Margrave of Baden was given the title of the grand duke. In addition, each of these countries signed a treaty with France and became French allies. Peace treaty between France and Austria signed in Pressburg (today Bratislava, Slovakia) on December 26 1805 enlarged territories of mentioned countries at an expense of defeated Austria.

On July 12 1806, the Confederation of the Rhine was established comprising of 16 sovereigns and countries. This confederation under French influence put an end to the Holy Roman Empire. On August 6 1806, even Francis recognized the new state of things and claimed dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.

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Countries of the Austrian Empire

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See also

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References

Manfred, Albert M., 1973. Napoleon Bonaparte. Prague, Czech Republic: Svoboda.

Skřivan, Aleš, 1999. European Politics 1648-1914 [Evropská politika 1648-1914]. Prague, Czech Republic: Aleš Skřivan.