Chapter 10 Nationalism Triumphs in Europe

Section 4 Nationalism Threatens Old Empires

Setting the Scene: The Hapsburgs had controlled the Holy Roman Empire for

nearly 400 years when Napoleon invaded the German-speaking states. Austria's

center of power now lay in Eastern Europe. Further wars resulted in continued loss of

territory to Germany and Italy. Why did nationalism bring new strength to some

countries and weaken others? In Eastern Europe, the Austrian Hapsburgs and the Ottoman Turks ruled lands that included

diverse ethnic groups. Nationalist feelings among these subject people contributed to

tensions building across Europe.

I. A Declining EmpireIn 1800, the Hapsburgs were the oldest ruling house in Europe and presided over a multinational empire

I. A Declining EmpireAustrian emperor Francis I and his foreign minister Metternich upheld conservative goals against liberal forces

Klemens von Metternich Emperor Francis I

I. A Declining Empire

The government tried to limit industrydevelopment, which threatened traditional waysof life

I. A Declining Empire

By the 1840s, factories were springing up and the Hapsburgs were facing the problems of industrial life

I. A Declining Empire

The Hapsburgs ignored nationalist demands and crushed nationalist revolts

I. A Declining Empire

In 1848, Francis Joseph inherited the Hapsburg throne and faced many challenges

Franz Josef - Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary 1848-1916

I. A Declining EmpireAfter Austria was defeated by France and Sardinia in 1859, Francis Joseph made some limited reforms

I. A Declining Empire

The legislature became dominated by Austrians and reforms failed to satisfy other national groups

I. A Declining Empire

The Hungarians were determined to achieve total self-government

II. The Dual MonarchyIn 1867, Hungarian leader Francis Deak worked out a compromise that created the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary

II. The Dual Monarchy

Austria and Hungary were separate states with their own constitution and parliament and Francis Joseph ruled both

II. The Dual Monarchy

Other nationalists resented the compromise, and unrest often left the government paralyzed

III. Balkan NationalismThe Ottomans ruled a multi national empire that included Eastern Europe, the Balkans, North Africa and the Middle East

III. Balkan NationalismDuring the 1800s, various nationalist groups revolted against the Ottomans, hoping to set up their own independent states

III. Balkan NationalismThe Ottoman empire became "the sick man of Europe" and scrambled to divide it up

III. Balkan NationalismRussia, Austria-Hungary, Britain and France all began to expand into Ottoman lands

III. Balkan NationalismThese competing interests contributed to a series of crises and wars in the Balkans

III. Balkan NationalismBy the early 1900s, the region was known as the "Balkan powder keg" and the explosion that came in 1914 set off World War I

Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand and Duchess Sophie in Sarajevo (1914)