What is Austria

Page 1: Introduction

• Title: Studies in Austrian Literature, Culture, and Thought

• Author: Lonnie Johnson

• Context: Introduction to Austria's history as part of an exploration of its literature and cultural identity.

• Publication Date: 1987

• Publisher's Information: Ariadne Press, Riverside, California.

Page 2: Austria's Image and Clichés

• Geographical Overview: Austria’s central European location in the Alps.

• Media Coverage: The Waldheim affair reshaped international views on Austria; it highlights the country's complexities beyond stereotypes involving mountains, music, and Nazis.

• Cultural Critique: The book aims to provide a more nuanced understanding of Austria, addressing its historical context rather than reinforcing clichéd images.

• Social Dynamics: Karl Heinrich Waggerl's observation about the Austrian character; loves the country but is critical of it.

• Federal Structure: Austria is a federal republic composed of nine provinces, sharing borders with seven nations.

• Historical Context Necessary: To comprehend Austria today, one must consider its deep historical roots.

• Dual Perspective: Pessimistic vs. optimistic views about natural barriers in Austria's geography influencing its political history.

Page 3: Roman Influence and Legacy

• Pre-Roman Era: Nomadic hunters took refuge in the Alps' caves.

• Roman Conquest (5 B.C. to 5 A.D.): Romans occupied strategic regions of Austria, establishing provinces like Raetia and Noricum, laying foundations for future city routes and infrastructure.

• Cultural Exchange: The Romans' influence left a lasting impact on Austrian urban development and infrastructure, such as roads and thermal baths.

• Great Migrations Impact: Created a void in political power, allowing for external influences from East and West, which shaped Austria's future role as a transit land and buffer zone.

Page 4: Babenberg Rule

• Dynasty Overview: The Babenbergs governed Austria for about 270 years.

• First Mention: The name "Austria" recorded in 996 as "Ostarrichi."

• Territorial Expansion: Babenberg leaders expanded control northward and eastward while managing conflicts with surrounding powers.

• Military Conflicts: Encounters with Bohemians and Hungarians shaped Austrian territorial dynamics.

• Last Babenberg: Friedrich II's death sparked a power vacuum leading to conflicts for succession.

Page 5: Habsburg Ascendancy

• Transition to Habsburg Rule: The rise of the Habsburgs began after the Babenbergs, with Rudolph von Habsburg emerging victorious against Ottokar.

• Long-term Rule: Habsburgs ruled for over 600 years, expanding their influence and territory significantly, even through marital alliances.

• Marital Diplomacy: Habsburgs strategically married into other royal families to consolidate power without direct conflict.

Page 6: Habsburg Empire Complexities

• Empire Dynamics: Habsburg territories were a conglomeration of diverse cultures, not a unified state in a modern sense.

• Regions Defined by Geography: Austria’s various geographical features defined its historical and cultural development, leading to fragmentation in identity.

• Interruption by Internal and External Conflicts: Internal evolutions often stymied by external threats and wars throughout the empire's history.

Page 7: Accumulating Empires

• Karl V's Legacy: Karl V symbolized the Habsburgs' interconnected European influence through his vast dominions gained via alliances.

• Aftermath of Louis II’s Death: Shift caused by the Hungarian King's death, expanding Habsburg influence into Central Europe while facing Ottoman threats.

Page 8: The Role of the Turks

• Religious Conflicts: Turks as a constant external threat during the 16th and 17th centuries, shaping Austria's internal policies and religious identity.

• Habsburg Counter-Reformation: Reasserted Catholic dominance amid rising Protestant sentiments, resulting in significant cultural transformations.

Page 9: Politics and Reforms in the 19th Century

• Absolutism to Political Change: The Habsburg Empire's resistance to revolutionary ideals led to a significant historical stagnation by the early 1800s.

• Francis Joseph's Reign: His conservative approach limited progress despite aspirations for reform and modernization.

Page 10: Dual Monarchy Formation

• Compromise of 1867: Established Austria-Hungary as a dual monarchy with separate parliaments for each half, yet maintaining centralized control over common interests.

• Diverse Nationalities: The empire was multi-ethnic, leading to complexities in national identity, especially for the small German-speaking minority.