History of the Habsburgs (Austria) Austrian empire began in 1273 with the election of Rudolph of Habsburg as Holy Roman Emperor By 18th century, empire consisted of more than 300 states, fifty-one free towns, 1500 free nights and their tiny estates Population of about 31 million by 18th century Hapsburgs held on to title of Holy Roman Emperor, but the title depended on help from many other German states and principalities
Austria was part of the larger Holy Roman Empire Austria was part of the larger Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Emperor was almost always elected from Austria because it had the ability to enforce imperial decisions on the empire.
The Habsburg Empire in the 18th Century Following the War of Spanish Succession which saw a Bourbon occupy the Spanish throne, Austria consolidated Habsburg power Empire included: Naples, Sardinia, and Milan in Italy; the Austrian Netherlands (now Belgium); Hungary; and Transylvania Austrian empire lacked unity: made up of Germans, Hungarians, Czechs, Croats, Italians, Serbs, Rumanians, and other Different languages, customs, and culture Not all areas of Austrian Empire were with Holy Roman Empire, so different laws existed
Austria was part of the larger Holy Roman Empire Austria was part of the larger Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Emperor was almost always elected from Austria because it had the ability to enforce imperial decisions on the empire.
Map 13–3 THE AUSTRIAN HABSBURG EMPIRE, 1521–1772 The empire had three main units—Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary. Expansion was mainly eastward: eastern Hungary from the Ottomans (17th century) and Galicia from Poland (1772). Meantime, Silesia was lost after 1740, but the Habsburgs remained Holy Roman Emperors.
Government of Austria’s informal empire No single constitutional system or administration for all parts of realm The emperor had different political titles for each part of his empire (Duke, Lord, Count, King) No central diet (government) for empire only local diets Local matters such as religion were left alone, as long as the monarch received soldiers, taxes, and support for war from the provinces Maygars, Hungarian nobility, accepted Habsburg monarchy but did not pay taxes to Vienna Maintained certain local powers untouched by emperor
Music and Vienna Music was the most famous and popular art of the empire Emperor Leopold I, a composer himself, was a significant patron to music Royal concerts, ballets, and operas were part of life in Vienna Italians would come to Austria to improve their musical productions The Slavs, Bohemians (Germans), and Magyars (Hungary) excelled in singing and instruments
Leopold I (r. 1658—1705) First cousin of Louis XIV of France and Charles II of Spain Loved poetry and music A devout Catholicrestricted his Protestant subjects Employed German and Italian artists to build and decorate baroque churches and palaces
A Foreign Invader Ottoman Empire (Turks) invaded Austria and attempted a siege of Vienna in 1683 With the help of King Jan Sobieski’s Polish army and Germans, Austrians, and Hungarians, Leopold’s forces drove out the Turks
“The Battle for Vienna”
Respect for Leopold I Key figure in the War of Spanish Succession Austria efforts against France proved to turn the tide against France and ended Louis XIV’s bid to have a common prince for France and Spain Elevated the power of Brandenburg-Prussia during the war to create a strong nation to oppose France Expanded Austrian territory into southeastern Europe at the expense of the Turks who they were battling with as well
Charles VI ( r. 1711—1740) Son of Leopold I Personally involved in the details in governing Did not leave a male heir, but had a daughter, Maria Theresa
Actions for Charles VI Pragmatic Sanction (1713)– Charles VI legal basis for a single line of inheritance within the Hapsburg dynasty putting his daughter Maria Theresa in charge Women rulers were considered to bring instability to a government Charles went around Europe asking for princes to sign the paper to ensure his daughter’s reignmost did, BUT will be challenged later Granted Hungarian nobles particular liberties and more autonomy from the Austrian crown Still part of the empire, but cultural differences will lead to eventual split
Maria Theresa (r. 1748—1780) Was beautiful, courageous, high-minded, pious, and capable ruler First reform increased Austrian army from 30,000 to 108,000 through tax reforms paying for it Frederick of Prussia invades Hapsburg Empire to determine supremacy in German states and puts Maria at risk in 1740 Centralized Austrian gov’t and power Conservative Catholic, BUT believed in political realism when it came to her culturally diverse population
Joseph II (R. 1765—1790) Co-regent with mother, Maria Theresa, for last 15 years of her life Sought to be an “enlightened despot” Wanted to govern decisively and forcefully, but rationally, with the interests of his subjects in mind
Legacy of Joseph II Centralized power Create a strong economy, treasury, and military Although Catholic, granted religious toleration to Protestants and Jews Opened more state schools of Austria Died at 49 after suffering military defeats at the hands of the Ottomans, facing an expanding Russian state, and revolts in the Austrian-controlled Netherlands
Map 13–3 THE AUSTRIAN HABSBURG EMPIRE, 1521–1772 The empire had three main units—Austria, Bohemia, and Hungary. Expansion was mainly eastward: eastern Hungary from the Ottomans (17th century) and Galicia from Poland (1772). Meantime, Silesia was lost after 1740, but the Habsburgs remained Holy Roman Emperors.