Austrian Empire (to 1867)

Abstract

Abstract This entry presents the history of the Austrian Empire from its genesis to 1867. Its main focus is upon the political history of the empire, its consolidation in the 16th century, and its evolution through the middle of the 19th century. Topics include: marriage alliances and acquisition of territories; Reformation and Counter‐Reformation; the Habsburg monarchy or empire's status in Europe and its relationships with its neighbors, specifically the Ottoman Empire and Prussia; relationships between the Habsburg monarchy and the Holy Roman Empire; wars, the revolution of 1848, and the Austro‐Hungarian Compromise of 1867. The entry addresses differences in the status of different territories in the empire – most notably Hungary and Bohemia – attempts to impose centralization, and the resulting discontents. It concludes with a discussion of the federalization of the empire in 1867 tracing its roots back to the empire's creation in the 16th century.