The arguments on the fall of the Habsburg Empire, one on nationalism and the other on foreign policy, are both based on the belief that “eventual dissolution of the Empire after the Great War had become inevitable much earlier, in the nineteenth century” (Pelling 115), therefore the dominant view is that the Empire was doomed from the very beginning. But, there are issues with these arguments. One flaw of the nationalist argument is that, although there were nationalist feelings blooming in the Habsburg Empire and although they caused tensions amongst the populations, these were the same people that fought during the First World War as Austro-Hungarian soldiers. Albeit they probably did not have much choice in the matter, in a time period where
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As a consequence, the Habsburg Empire began what turned into one of the biggest world wars known today and even then its demise was not because it had Germany as an ally because this alliance proved fruitful in preventing a war in 1908 when “Austro-Germany solidarity forced Russia to back down” (Pelling 122) but rather, its demise was the result of entering a war and losing. It chose to enter into a war with Serbia instead of resolving the matter in other ways and this can partially be seen as a flaw with Franz Joseph’s faith in the military. The Habsburg Empire’s true weaknesses were its military and financial conditions. If these had been resolved on numerous occasions throughout its rule, such as before the Compromise or April Laws, its demise could have been avoided – or at least prolonged. Its Achilles heel was its dependence on the ruling Emperor and what went from an Empire known for its strategic marriages, turned into one of waging wars, eventually losing its biggest
As a consequence, the Habsburg Empire began what turned into one of the biggest world wars known today and even then its demise was not because it had Germany as an ally because this alliance proved fruitful in preventing a war in 1908 when “Austro-Germany solidarity forced Russia to back down” (Pelling 122) but rather, its demise was the result of entering a war and losing. It chose to enter into a war with Serbia instead of resolving the matter in other ways and this can partially be seen as a flaw with Franz Joseph’s faith in the military. The Habsburg Empire’s true weaknesses were its military and financial conditions. If these had been resolved on numerous occasions throughout its rule, such as before the Compromise or April Laws, its demise could have been avoided – or at least prolonged. Its Achilles heel was its dependence on the ruling Emperor and what went from an Empire known for its strategic marriages, turned into one of waging wars, eventually losing its biggest