Austria- Age of Absolutism
By: Jasdeep, Hannah, and Lika
Key Facts and People
area was taken over by Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, and the Holy Roman Empire
in the mid-12th century, the Habsburg empire was created
Austrian Empire emerged in 1804 as one of the leading European Powers
Habsburg rulers increasingly concentrated their reign in Austria
It is largely made of mountains and it is a landlocked country in south-central Europe.
It is bordered by the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Slovenia, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany.
It extends around 360 miles (580 km) from east to west
Mountains and forests give the Austrian landscape its character
Austria had a great impact on European History
the region had been taken over by Charlemagne
Empire
The area was taken over by Charlemagne, the king of the Franks, and the Holy Roman Empire
in the mid-12th century, the Habsburg empire was created
Austrian Empire emerged in 1804 as one of the leading European Powers
- Habsburg rulers increasingly concentrated their reign in Austria
Monarchs
Frederick I
first king of Bohemia
archduke of Austria
- Habsburg Emperor
Habsburg Rule- fell from power in 1806
long ruled over the Holy Roman Empire
increasingly concentrated their reign over Austria
Joseph II
Maria Theresa’s son
had far-reaching reforms
abolished serfdom and the death penalty
established the principle of equality
enacted religious reforms such as religious toleration
in an effort to change, he issued thousands of laws and decrees
reform program failed because he alienated nobles and the church
serfs were even unhappy because they didn’t understand all the changes
his successors undid almost all of his reforms
Maria Theresa
inherited the throne in 1740
worked to centralize and strengthen the state
only woman to rule during the 650-year Hapsburg Dynasty
enacted some reforms but believed in the rights of monarchs to rule
worked to improve the condition of serfs
Frederick II (Frederick the Great)
Born: 1712; Died: 1786
King of Prussia
His leadership qualities began to emerge early in his reign.
He ruled for 46 years.
He was a flute player.
He cared more about the arts.
He liked to surround himself with French intellectuals.
Under his rule Prussia became a major military power.
Prussia stopped the expansion of the powerful Hapsburg Empire.
Major Accomplishments
- they lost the hope of creating an empire in Germany after the Thirty Years' War but they created a new empire in eastern and southeastern Europe
- became known as a great European power in the seventeenth and eighteenth century
Lasting Legacy
- The Habsburg Rule significantly impacted European politics
- Austria could never centralize their government because it was made up of too many different national groups so they never had a huge empire with a great influence, just a bunch of territories held together by a common allegiance to the Habsburgs