Context -
THE WORLD AT THAT TIME -
Union between Austria and Hungary took place in 1867. Overall political authority was held by Emperor Franz Joseph. Over 51 million people lived in the 675,000 square kilometres of the empire. The two largest ethnic groups were Germans (10 million) and Hungarians (9 million). In this empire there were also Serbians, Italians, Czech s and Romanians.
Hungarian politicians complained that the Austrian parliament was too powerful and that they were considered to be junior partners.
The Austro-Hungarian government feared attack from Russia. In 1879 Austro-Hungary and Germany agreed to form a Dual Alliance. This became the Triple Alliance when in 1882 it was expanded to include Italy. The three countries agreed to support each other if attacked by either France or Russia.
The Austro-Hungarian Army was officially under the control of the Commander-in-Chief, Emperor Franz Joseph. By 1914 Josef was 84 years old and the chief of staff so he handed his role with the army to Franz Conrad.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AT THAT TIME -
Although Austria-Hungary's aim in 1914 was to fight a limited war to punish Serbia after the assassination of the heir to the Habsburg crown, Franz Ferdinand, the crisis quickly flared out of control as some Countries mobilized their mass armies in accordance with their treaty commitments. Although poorly prepared for conflict and lacking essential weapons and unit cohesiveness, the Austro-Hungarians were immediately faced with a two-front war against Serbia and Russia.
Union between Austria and Hungary took place in 1867. Overall political authority was held by Emperor Franz Joseph. Over 51 million people lived in the 675,000 square kilometres of the empire. The two largest ethnic groups were Germans (10 million) and Hungarians (9 million). In this empire there were also Serbians, Italians, Czech s and Romanians.
Hungarian politicians complained that the Austrian parliament was too powerful and that they were considered to be junior partners.
The Austro-Hungarian government feared attack from Russia. In 1879 Austro-Hungary and Germany agreed to form a Dual Alliance. This became the Triple Alliance when in 1882 it was expanded to include Italy. The three countries agreed to support each other if attacked by either France or Russia.
The Austro-Hungarian Army was officially under the control of the Commander-in-Chief, Emperor Franz Joseph. By 1914 Josef was 84 years old and the chief of staff so he handed his role with the army to Franz Conrad.
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES AT THAT TIME -
Although Austria-Hungary's aim in 1914 was to fight a limited war to punish Serbia after the assassination of the heir to the Habsburg crown, Franz Ferdinand, the crisis quickly flared out of control as some Countries mobilized their mass armies in accordance with their treaty commitments. Although poorly prepared for conflict and lacking essential weapons and unit cohesiveness, the Austro-Hungarians were immediately faced with a two-front war against Serbia and Russia.