The History of Austria
Austria, the small country in the heart of Europe, looks back at a history as one of the major powers ruling Europe for the better part of a millenium. What started some 80.000 years ago as a region for early human settlements should become the most influential empire of Austria-Hungary, bearing the two dynasties of the Babenberg and the Habsburg Royalty.
For hundreds of years Austria ruled over vast areas in Europa, giving birth to most renowned personalities of royalty, military, science and art. It fought countless wars, not always with swords, but also using astute instruments of diplomacy - like marrying into the enemy family.
It was but an insolvable diplomatic dilemma that petrified Europe at the end of the 19th century, unstoppably leading to the hitherto most cataclysmic war in history of mankind, i.e. World War I. It should be this event that marks the end of the glorious monarchy of Austria-hungary and the beginning of Austria's future as a republic.
Soon history should reiterate and an even more catastrophic World War II disrupts a fragile and brittle Austria. After the annexion by Germany and the liberation by the Allied Forces Austria could again go the road to democracy by forging the Second Republic, which should bring freedom, peace and prosperity to Austria till this day.
For more complex information on the history of Austria please choose a section from the left hand menu, or click
here for history < WWI
here for history > WWI
Further information on the history of Austria may also be found on these pages:
(outside of www.austria.org)
Click here for Austrian Foreign Ministry Information
Click here for Austria Tourist Information
Click here or here for Wikipedia
Click here for Geocities
Click here for Lonely Planet
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