The Babenberg Legacy

1273–1282

The beginning of this epoch is marked by conflict between two kings: Rudolf I, crowned in 1273 as the first Roman-German king of the Habsburg dynasty, and Ottokar II Přemysl , King of Bohemia, who...

Building the Power Base

1282–1477

During the course of the fourteenth century the Habsburgs slowly establish their power base. Having inherited the Duchy of Carinthia in 1335, they assume dominion over Tyrol in 1363. Using the...

The Rise to Great Power Status

1477–1526

In 1477 Charles the Bold of Burgundy falls in battle and his heir and daughter Mary subsequently marries the future emperor Maximilian I. The acquisition of Burgundy, one of the most prosperous...

The Age of Confessional Division

1526–1648

Religious schisms convulse Western Christianity and change European society profoundly. Confessional affiliation becomes a political issue, determining the relationship between countries as well as...

Baroque Austria

1648–1740

This is the age of magnificent courtly display. Under Leopold I work starts on the rebuilding of Schönbrunn Palace and on additions to the Hofburg in Vienna. At the same time the era is marked by...

Enlightened Absolutism

1740–1792

Informed by the ideas of the Enlightenment, the state is reorganized on rational principles to further the welfare of its subjects. Under the rule of Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II reforms are...

Revolutions

1792–1848

A time of violent convulsions: the French Revolution sends shockwaves across Europe, Napoleon changes the political map of Europe for good and the Austrian Empire rises from the ashes of the Holy...

National Conflicts

1848–1914

The nationalist movements in various parts of Europe herald an era of change for the Habsburg Monarchy – northern Italy is lost, autonomy conceded to Hungary and absolute rule transforms itself into...

Decline and Fall

1914–1918

The Austrian writer Karl Kraus called the Great War the Last Days of Mankind. Triggered by the assassination of the heir to the Austrian throne and Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war on...