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.