jjares reviewed History of Austria: A Captivating Guide to Austrian History on + 3270 more book reviews
For such a small country, Austria has witnessed a great deal of history. From the Roman ruins, to the Habsburg dynasty, then under the thumb of the Nazis, and now a much smaller country, Austria has seen it all. Modern Austria has many traces of Germanic, Slavic, Hungarian, Celtic, and even Romans in their makeup.
After the Romans left (493 CE), the Babenbergs' noble dynasty emerged over Austrian margraves and dukes. With the extinction of the line (1246 CE), they were eventually succeeded by the German house of Habsburgs (originally of Switzerland). Until 1918, Austria would be tightly wound up in the Habsburg web. Frederick III didn't want to just rule Austria, his goal was, "It is for Austria to rule the world."
The Habsburgs had continuing troubles with Protestants (the Habsburgs were Catholic) and the Ottomans. The Siege of Vienna was a watershed event for the Ottomans and the Europeans. The European nations stopped Suleiman the Magnificent's push into Vienna in 1532. This was important because Vienna was a symbol of Christianity.
By 1714, Austria was part of the Habsburg Monarchy, but things were not going the Habsburg's way. They were stodgy, resistant to change, and tied to imperialism. Things were changing in Europe and the world. The Habsburgs wanted to rule Spain too when that throne became empty. So they fought with the French Bourbons for the country between 1701 - 1714.
When Napoleon emerged the victor in France, Austria was no longer independent. They had to do France's bidding. In 1809, the Habsburg Empire declared war against France. They lost and became a satellite state to France. In 1813, Austria joined the Fourth Coalition against Napoleon and won.
Captivating History really has a handle on what caused World War I. After the Austrians were decimated in that war, the ethnic minorities rose up and demanded more autonomy. But their troubles were not behind them, because Hitler came to power in Germany and he wanted the Austrian's industry and raw resources to begin World War II. Hitler took over Austria and renamed it Ostmark, as part of the Third Reich. Again, Captivating History explains the causes of, actions during, and results of WWII. In the years after the wars, Austria has striven to become an oasis of neutrality and safety.
After the Romans left (493 CE), the Babenbergs' noble dynasty emerged over Austrian margraves and dukes. With the extinction of the line (1246 CE), they were eventually succeeded by the German house of Habsburgs (originally of Switzerland). Until 1918, Austria would be tightly wound up in the Habsburg web. Frederick III didn't want to just rule Austria, his goal was, "It is for Austria to rule the world."
The Habsburgs had continuing troubles with Protestants (the Habsburgs were Catholic) and the Ottomans. The Siege of Vienna was a watershed event for the Ottomans and the Europeans. The European nations stopped Suleiman the Magnificent's push into Vienna in 1532. This was important because Vienna was a symbol of Christianity.
By 1714, Austria was part of the Habsburg Monarchy, but things were not going the Habsburg's way. They were stodgy, resistant to change, and tied to imperialism. Things were changing in Europe and the world. The Habsburgs wanted to rule Spain too when that throne became empty. So they fought with the French Bourbons for the country between 1701 - 1714.
When Napoleon emerged the victor in France, Austria was no longer independent. They had to do France's bidding. In 1809, the Habsburg Empire declared war against France. They lost and became a satellite state to France. In 1813, Austria joined the Fourth Coalition against Napoleon and won.
Captivating History really has a handle on what caused World War I. After the Austrians were decimated in that war, the ethnic minorities rose up and demanded more autonomy. But their troubles were not behind them, because Hitler came to power in Germany and he wanted the Austrian's industry and raw resources to begin World War II. Hitler took over Austria and renamed it Ostmark, as part of the Third Reich. Again, Captivating History explains the causes of, actions during, and results of WWII. In the years after the wars, Austria has striven to become an oasis of neutrality and safety.
