Austria's views on France

Austria would have been very happy with the result of the Congress of Vienna. They were rewarded with a large empire, but also a very diverse one. Their leader was the charismatic Prince Metternich, who was very conservative, anti-liberal, pro-legitimacy, and hated revolutions. Obviously, he would not have been very happy with France, which at the time was characterized by its revolutions (often bloody), political upheavals, and constant unrest. Because of his hatred of these characteristics, he established the Holy Alliance, with Russia and Prussia. Before the Congress, Austria as a whole was probably hostile and fearful of France (due to their immense empire), while remaining in a shaky alliance. After, they were probably satisfied with them (due to the results) but still cautious.

Austria's views on Austria

The Congress of Vienna had a very favorable outcome for Austria where Russia luckily didn't take control of a vast amount of land which would have been a crippling blow to Austria. Prussia though to Austria's obvious dislike received the most amount of territories not Austria and they disagreed with how western Germany should be split up. Austria was also happy that France received its 1792 land-holdings leaving more land for the taking. All in all besides a few dis-agreements Austria came out of the Congress of Vienna with a rather favorable amount of land and profit.

Austria's view on Russia

We have become increasingly worried about the Russian influence in Poland and Central Europe. The Russians think that this Congress is theirs, and that they can take whatever land they feel. Well, Austria will not let out oppoenents accomplish this. Russia's troops have already occupied Paris, Poland, Saxony, and parts of Germany. Luckily we have developed a pretty good relationship with Castlereagh and Hardenberg, so maybe we will be able to sway their opinions regarding what Russia does and doesn't get.

Austria's View of Prussia

During the time of the Congress of Vienna, the Austrian Empire would have had several views on Prussia. Their first view would be that in order for Austria to gain the lands that it wants, they would have to cooperate with Prussia. The Austrians and Prussians were willing to do this although they did not have a very good relationship.

Another view that Austria had concerning Prussia was that Austria and Prussia would not agree on everything. This is because although both sides were willing to cooperate, both sides had a different view on some issues. For example, the form (that was wanted by Austria) to be taken by the German Confederation differed from that of Prussia. Austria wanted a Weak Austrian Confederation while Prussia wanted a Weak Austro-Prussian Confederation.

A third and last view concerning Prussia was that Austria completely disagreed with them. For example, Hardenburg of Prussia wanted Prussian domination of Western Germany, Austrian's Metternich could not agree with this proposal and because of this, problems obviously arose.

All in all, Austria's view on Prussia was that they were willing to cooperate and had a good relationship with them. This did not mean however that Prussia and Austria agreed on each others' proposals completely.

Austria/Hungary, circa 1790-1815

While the focus of Europe during this era was predominantly France, there was still some significant events to happen regarding Austria. In June 1791, Louis XVI made a failed attempt to escape France with is wife, Austria's own Marie Antoinette. In response, Austria along with Prussia issued the Declaration of Pillnitz, which declared their willingness to intervene in France in specific circumstances. Later, in 1791 through 1792 France fought a political war against tyranny, defending their liberal government. In April 1792, France declared war on Habsburg monarch Francis II, who was eventually joined by the Austrian Netherlands and Prussia to form the First Coalition, against France. The Coalition was not awfully successful; by November 1792 France was occupying the entire Austrian Netherlands. Even with nearly all of Europe fighting against it, France was still victorious.

In 1799, France entered a new era, that of Napoleon. Austria's first involvement in this time came with the peace talks Napoleon sent there ans well as Great Britain, which were the two remaining memebers of the Second Coalition (formed in 1798). Austria foolishly rejected, and was defeated in battle, and in the Treaty of Luneville (1801), they lost nearly all of their Italian possessions. Throughout the coming years, France would reshape the newly acquired German states to weaken Austria.

Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Britain formed the Third Coalition against France in 1805. Francis II believed that Napoleon's assumption of the Italian crown was a threat to the balance of power in Europe. But once again, Austria suffered a large territorial loss (in return for peace) at the Battle of Austerliz in December 1805. When Napoleon established the German Confederation of the Rhine, Austria (along with Prussia and Saxony) was not included. At this point, Austria-Hungary was allied with France, but clearly surrounded and cornered by it's empire.

While Napoleon was making his way home after a disastrous Russian campaign, Austria foreign minister Prince Klemens von Metternich proposed Napoleon would retain his crown if France were to reduce to historical size. When he refused, Austria desserted France and joined Prussia, Russia, and Britain in the Fourth Coalition. This time, they were successful.

Austria/Hungary's attitude towards Napoleon

This man has gone totally out of his mind! He has become an egomaniacal tyrant who is plotting to take over all of Europe. Something must be done about this situation before the realm of Napoleon has become to great and powerful. No matter what we do, Napoleon always comes out on top, almost as if he knows what moves we are going to make. The people here in Austria/Hungary have become very scared of what may happen should Napoleon continue to constantly win more and more battles. We have already become a part of his empire, so for now we must play along with his crazy plot. Either that or our people will be destroyed! Many have begun to pray that Russia will be able to prevent this man from taking over all of Europe....


Andrew Mortillo

The Atlantic Economy (645-655)

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the Atlantic Ocean was extremely vital to Europe's economy, and played a huge role in numerous events across not only The continent of Europe but also in the scattered oversea colonies. The Austria-Hungary area of Europe was not affect too much, though. Geographically, it was in the middle of a land mass and not anywhere near the Atlantic Ocean, or really any bodies of water for that matter. While Austria was not involved in any slave trades or oversea empires, the area would cause worldly conflicts. In the War of Austrian Succession (1740-1748), in which Frederick the Great of Prussia seized Silesia from Austria's Maria Theresa, the fighting eventually make its way as far as India and North America, in Anglo-French conflicts (England and France were huge rivals in the Atlantic economy). Maria Theresa, a Habsburg, would continue her pursuit to regain Silesia into the Seven Years' War (1756-1763), but was unsuccessful. With the exception of these brief political land skirmishes, Austria-Hungary was not awfully significant in the building of the Atlantic Economy.

New Nutrition and Dietary Practices

In this era, new dietary and nutrition practices were formed throughout Europe and Asia. These new ideas had important effects on society. Two of these was that once people began to eat their fill, they average life expectany of people increased and food/hunger riots died down. Along with "just prices" came food at cheaper prices which let the poorer folk the ability to buy more. This helped end riots and mobs that attacked farmers and landowners throughout the lands in the search for food at an affordable rate.
Although people began to eat more food, the types of foods they ate were not varied. The wealthy did not eat enough vegetable, the poor did not eat enough meat, and either group got enough calcium and vitamins. Although there weren't enough vitamins in peoples bodies, the food shortages were dealt with by planting potatoes and other crops. Through these plants, people were not starving to death and could survive the famines.