Post on 16-Jan-2023
Nationalism Threatens Old Empires: Module 14-2 Part 1
Holy Roman Empire dissolved by NapoleonHapsburgs still controlled Austria, Bohemia, Hungary, and parts of other nationsSince Congress of Vienna: Illegal to use word “constitution”Limited industrial development – threat to traditional life
Empire couldn’t hold back changesFactories springing upLed to discontent –stirrings of socialism
Hapsburg Empire multinational
50 million people – less than ¼ were German Speaking Austrians
1/2 = Slavic groups = Czechs, Slovaks, Poles, Ukrainians, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes
Rival groups shared some of same regions – including Italians & Hungarians
Nationalist demands increased -Revolts in 1848 crushed by government
Turmoil – Francis Joseph inherits Hapsburg throne
Ruled until 1916 – almost WWI
Made reforms to strengthen Empire
New Constitution – set up legislature
Still – dominated by German speaking Austrian
Other groups = not satisfied – wanted self-government
1866 – Austria defeated by Prussia
1867 - Ferenc Deakcreates compromise -created dual-monarchy of Austria-Hungary
Still – Austria and Hungary separate states each with own constitution & parliament
Francis Joseph ruled as emperor of Austria and king of Hungary
Many resented compromise – especially Slavic groups
Nationalist leaders = “Slavs unite…only through liberty, equality, and fraternal solidarity” could Slavic people fulfill “great mission in the history of mankind.”
Early 1900s = nationalist unrest paralyzed government
The Ottoman Empire Collapses
Ottoman also multi-national Empire w/all the same problems
Serbia wins autonomy – 1830
Greeks win independence in 1830s
Many others had revolts = wanted own independent states
European Powers Divide Up Ottoman EmpireNationalistic European nations saw the Ottoman Empire as “the sick man of Europe”They scrambled to take landRussia took land to the Black Sea (including Constantinople/ Istanbul)Austria-Hungary took Bosnia and Herzegovina which made Serbia mad – they wanted that area Britain & France want to take Ottoman lands in Middle East and North Africa
War in the BalkansCompeting interests led to series of wars in the BalkansRussia fought, so did France, Britain and the GermansGermans supported Austria-Hungary – BUT – also encouraged the OttomansPeople revolted and fought amongst themselvesEarly 1900s – region was referred to as the “Balkan Powder Keg”Explosion that came in 1914 helped to set off World War I