Learn about the Austro-Hungarian Empire

When Austria lost influence in Europe after its crushing defeat against Prussia it experienced resistance within its own boarders. It also faced the double thread of a strong Germany and a strong Italy. These factors encouraged Austria to make a new kind of alliance with its former member Hungary.

With the compromise of February 1867 Austria and Hungary formed an equal power leadership called the Dual Monarchy. France Joseph of Austria received that the crown of Saint Steven of Hungary thus ruling over the Austrian empire and the kingdom of Hungary. Each unit had its own parliament for domestic affairs however, although foreign policy was in the hands of a joint cabinet run mostly by aristocrats from both backgrounds the empire compass central and Eastern Europe including part of the Bulk in Peninsula.

This scope of this domination included 15 languages and more than 51 million people. The works of writer France Kafka are among of the most influential in western literature. By 1914 the Austria Hungarian empire was the only power aside from France the possessed standing military code breaking service. When it became apparent that the allied power would win World War I nationalist movements group, October 28, 1918 Czechoslovakia declared independence followed by the Southern Slab areas the next day.

The Hungarian government followed sued October 31, 1918 officially dissolving the Austria Hungarian empire.