Nationalism Threatens Old Empires 10.4

Main Idea Desires for the national independence threatened to break up the Austrian and Ottoman empires.

Fast Facts of Austrian Empire The Hapburgs had controlled the Holy Roman Empire for 400 years when Napoleon invaded the German speaking states. They lost territory to Germany and Italy Ruling over a large area full of ethnically diverse people led to nationalist feelings. This contributed to tensions building across Europe. Schonbrunn Palace- summer home for the Hapsburg rulers. Large structure & extensive gardens to show the power of the ruling family.

A Declining Empire The Hapsburgs- oldest ruling family in Europe Called Austria home, but ruled over Bohemia, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and N. Italy Feelings of nationalism among ethnically diverse groups contribute to tensions.

Challenges of Change “Rule and change nothing.” –Austrian Emperor Francis I. Upheld conservative goals against liberal forces. “Constitution” banned from being spoken or written Limited industrial development, which would threaten traditional ways of life. Austria, however, could not hold back the changes that were engulfing the rest of Europe. By the 1840s- idea of industrialization, growing cities, worker discontent, rumblings of socialism Since the Congress of Vienna- suppressed any threat to traditional life

A Patchwork of People 50 million people lived in the their empire About 20% German speaking Austrians Made up of many different cultures and nations. Almost half belonged to Slavic groups; Czech, Slovaks, Poles, Ukrainians, Romanians, Croats, Hungarians, Italians Hapsburgs ignored demands of nationalistic leaders of differing ethnicities Constant revolts against the Hapsburg rule “Peoples? What does that mean? I know only subjects.” –Francis I.

Early Reforms (Son) Francis Joseph- inherits throne at 18, will rule until 1916 Granted limited reforms New constitution that set up a legislature Legislature made up of German speaking Austrians, doing nothing for other national groups around the empire. Son of Francis I inherited the Hapsburg throne, presiding over the empire during WWI as it faded away. Humiliating defeat to France and Sardinia. Realizing the need to the strengthen the empire- made some limited reforms. Hungarians were determined to settle for nothing less than total self-control

Formation of a Dual Monarchy After defeat in the Austro- Prussian war in 1866, Hungarians renewed pressure for change within the empire Francis Deak – Hungarian nationalist who worked out a compromise between Hungary and Austria Dual Monarchy- New Empire called Austria Hungary

Austrian- Hungarian Government Austria and Hungary- two separate states. With respective parliament and constitution Francis Joseph ruled both Shared some government offices; ministries of finance, defense, and foreign affairs, but were independent of each other on other areas

Nationalist Unrest Increases Hungarians welcome compromise, but others express dislike of government Early 1900s, restlessness increased among various Slavic groups especially the Czechs in Bohemia Called on Slavs to unite: “Only through liberty, equality, and fraternal solidarity” could Slavic people fulfill their mission

Collapse of the Ottoman Empire Multinational empire stretching from Asia through the Middle East into Eastern Europe and Africa. As in Austria, nationalistic demands wearing down the empire

Balkan Nationalism Balkans- Southeastern Europeans, made of of countries such as Greece, Serbia, Turkey, etc.. Serbia (1817) & Greece (1830s) won autonomy However, many Serbs and Greeks still lived in Balkans under Ottoman rule Throughout 1800s revolts staged against Ottomans, in hopes of setting up independent states

“The Sick Man of Europe” Ottoman Empire began crumbling, rivals divide land Russia and Austria Hungary take land Britain & France set their sights on Ottoman lands in the Middle East and North Africa.

War in Balkans Complex web of competing interests contributed to series of crisis and wars in the Balkans. Russians will fight several wars against Ottomans. France and Britain sometimes join with the Russian, sometimes with the Ottomans. In general, the spark of Nationalism has led to the break up of the Austrian and Ottoman Empires.