Vienna Prehistory
Emma Mendelson
Form Six D-band
Out of the three cities we are studying and perhaps many more, Vienna is the most politically, economically, socially and developmentally unique. Known for its magnificent past as an apex of the arts and sciences, Austria's long-time monarchy eventually broke down causing it to take a backseat to other cities such as New York, Tokyo and, of course, Paris and London. Vienna's lack of a strong middle class resulted in much of its individuality, but also led to the government's fall around the time of the First World War. The baroque splendor of this city is the only physical reminder of Vienna's glorious past.
Vienna's location is unique in that it is in Eastern Europe, much closer to Russia and Czechoslovakia than it is to England. Even currently, Vienna is a gateway to the east and in the past was invaded so frequently in part because of its prime location. That fact, along with the Danube River as a perfect means of transportation from West to East, accounts for the Romans' determined conquest of this city.
Vienna was inhabited long before the Romans; since about 2000 B.C. The first people to reside there were of Celtic origin- barbarian peoples originally from England. However, by 100 B.C. the Romans had taken note of the advantage to be gained by annexing this early settlement and the city of Vienna, as we know it today, started as a Roman costrum. Sound familiar? Maybe, but Paris, London and Vienna eventually became very different cities. Known as Vindobona, the city's population grew under the Roman Empire until the fifth century A.D. when Rome collapsed.
The newly "freed" Vindobona was at first the confused beginnings of a medieval city. From about 430 to 976 A.D. Slavs, Hungarians and Germans all resided in the area. From 976 to 1276 a French family called the Babenburgs ruled until the Hapsburgs took control of Vienna through Rudolf I's conquest of the city. A powerful monarchy, the Hapsburgs would rule Vienna until World War One- lasting almost a century longer than the monarchies in France and Britain. Although strict monarchs, over the years the Hapsburgs did transform Vienna into one of the most beautiful cities on earth, including erecting St. Stephen's Cathedral, a marvel of Romanesque and Gothic design. The Hapsburgs' strong-hold on the city, unequalled by any other empire, will be explored in further detail later on.
The frequency of war that occurred in Vienna was also a uniquely Viennese phenomenon. Practically as soon as Vienna came into being its walls were being surrounded. One of the first major wars occurred in 1490 when Maximilian I drove the Hungarians (one of the many peoples in Vienna) out of the city. Probably one of the most devastating wars occurred twice, so to speak, when the Ottoman Turks attacked Vienna on two separate occasions. In September of 1526 Sultan Suleiman the Great from Turkey and his army surrounded Vienna. Luckily the Viennese citizens were prepared and ready for the attack and after three weeks the Turks gave up. The second time, in 1683, things were different. Vienna, along with the rest of Austria-Hungary, had been swept up in the Thirty Years War that had begun in 1619. The war was, in reality, a religious conflict between Protestants and Catholics that became a political battle and then a violent war, as most religious conflicts do. Once again, the Turks surrounded Vienna, but the conditions of the attack were much different from the previous time. Although Vienna had improved its fortifications, the siege was unexpected this time and the Turks had a vast, commanding army. The battle was more than just a military victory, though, in that it showed Viennese unity. This battle was desperate enough so that no extra set of hands could be spared; and none were; the whole city joined together in battle, from peasants to aristocracy.
Another war broke out soon after called the War of Spanish Succession in which Austria-Hungary was allied with England against France and there was no decisive victory. The War of Austrian Succession, not much later, continued the conflict occurring all over Europe. Frederick the Great of Prussia took the town of Silesia in Austria- Hungary and Vienna was threatened, but luckily the war was ended somewhat peacefully with a treaty.
Yet another large conflict that Vienna was a part of was a fear of Napoleonic France; one sentiment that was agreed on by almost all of Europe. Under Napoleon's direction, the French general Murat entered Vienna on November thirteenth of 1805. Murat was driven out but France invaded Vienna again in 1809 and was once again defeated by the Viennese. However, monarchies across Europe were still threatened by "democracy" in France and France's growing power. To combat this, a great convention was held in, of all places, Vienna.
The Congress of Vienna in 1814 brought leaders from all over Europe to the city to try to determine boundaries and create stability, although most people's biggest aim was to limit French power. The Hapsburg dynasty was still very much in power, with George IV presiding over the Congress and Prince Metternich exercising his control surreptitiously.
In addition to St. Stephen's cathedral, Vienna is arguably the most beautiful city in the world. What differentiates Vienna from other cities, though, is the overwhelming presence of baroque architecture. London's streets flair off into different directions in an organic manner typical of the middle ages and the streets of Paris convene onto less organic, but still confusing etoiles characteristic of the Renaissance. Vienna's planning, on the other hand, is much more baroque in its use of the grid all over the city. The aristocracy was centrally located in the inner city, as opposed to London and France where the rich built large estates in the country. In this way the plan of the city was an exact, if unintentional, blue-print for Vienna's governmental structure; a strong, wealthy, centralized monarchy. The architecture in the inner city reflected the wealth and power of the nobility residing in it. The choice of style for the palaces in the city is not surprising, for the baroque style tends to be very opulent, detailed and heavy; all characteristics of those who employed this style. Also in the baroque fashion, there was no effort made to make things appear equal. Whereas on Paris facades each floor looked the same, the fronts of Viennese buildings became simpler as they went up; separating servants' quarters from those of the nobility.
Vienna was also different in that it was neither an industrial nor political center- Vienna was distinguished by its focus on the arts and academic endeavors. A home to now famous composers, writers and intellectuals, Vienna has surpassed both London and Paris, its credits including Mozart, Beethoven, Kafka and Freud.
The root of Vienna's unusual qualities mentioned above lies in the city's unusual economic and social structure. For the birth of modern Europe, Vienna does not seem like a typically modern city, namely, that there was never the emergence of a strong bourgeoise. Because Vienna and Austria-Hungary were especially diverse, revolts and chaos seemed more inevitable, thus leading to the tight grasp the government had on the people; probably tighter than necessary. In addition, social change- any change, really- was extremely difficult because time and resources were always being expended for protection in the wake of frequent attacks. It is now surprise, then, that Vienna is a baroque city with a focus on the arts. The aristocracy had no need to work and improve industry; they already had more then enough money. As a result, the money was spent on areas of luxury, beauty and entertainment.
Vienna is like no other city in the world in its unique social and political structure. No other city has also had such a steep rise and fall, going from a famous cultural center to that city in Italy with all the canals (yes, someone actually said that to me). Some may think Vienna traditional and old fashioned, but I think it has a huge role in the birth of modern Europe. For aren't diversity, differences and opposition implicit in modernity? Isn't the variety in every faction of life today what makes this world modern in the first place? I would say yes, and I think Vienna's uniqueness is a testament to that belief.