Andrew Zouev.

Birth of Modern Europe

Mr. Meyers

Diplomacy.

When Austria became a Republic, for the first time in its long and difficult history, the country was still in good shape. It was no longer the vast Holy Roman Empire, nor was it as powerful as it was after the Vienna Congress, however the country was still a key player of European affairs. It is almost impossible to conceive that a country could stay afloat for so long, with out winning anything on a battlefield. Throughout the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Century, Austria rarely showed any strength on the battlefield. However, when it came to diplomacy it was evident that the intellects of the country were almost unmatched in the world.

While other countries used numerous conscripts, or innovative military technologies to defend their homeland, Austria was forced to do its battles at the diplomatic table. The word that can best describe the politics of Austria from 1812 to 1920 was clearly influence. Years before, when Austria was a great empire feared by many, it was often the one making the decisions that would later be followed. However, starting in the 19^th century much had been reversed for this country. Austria ended up on the other side of the stick, as it often had to shift its beliefs. Just so the beliefs can coincide with its geographical neighbors. Due to the location of its borders, Austria was often influenced by the political and social reforms all around Europe. While most countries in Europe border with many countries, Austria for its size had an impressive eight neighbors. To maintain its sovereignty and freedom, it had to often get into treaties with two opposite sides at once.

The fact that its location was sandwiched between great countries like France, Italy, England, Russian and later Germany meant that Austria often had to resort to diplomacy and not just brut force. After the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire, Austria failed to win any major battles on the field. From the beginning of the Nineteenth Century Austria had the poorest military history of all the major powers in Europe. It often had to resort to diplomacy and treaties to keep the country above water in the rough water that is Europe. Through out the nineteenth century its status and territorial integrity depended on the support of at least one of the other great powers. As long as the allies were willing to cooperate in the "Congress System" to maintain the peace, order, and stability of Europe, Austrian interests were protected.

While the Congress system was in effect, there was stability in Central Europe, and that is the time that Austria began to thrive. The dilemma that Austria faced was the fact that its allies were often in battle with each other, and the country was often torn between the sides of two close allies. Before the Seven-Week War, Austria allied Prussia to fight a common war against Denmark. Not more than two years later, Prussia was invading Austria, in a war that later broke up the Habsburg Empire into two regions, and established the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

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