The Austrian Empire and Nationalism

The Austrian Empire was made up of many different ethnic groups. In this lesson, you will map the stresses that pulled the empire apart. Use pages 104-105 of the Nystom Atlas of World History to help you.

The Austrian Empire

  1. The Austrian Empire was rule by the Hapsburg family. Over time, they gained several kingdoms in Central Europe through marriage. The Hapsburgs were a German family who had rule the Holy Roman Empire. After 1806 their empire became known as the Austrian Empire.
  2. On Map A: outline and label the Austrian Empire
  1. Most people in the Austrian Empire did not speak German as their first language. They spoke the language of their ethnic group or nationality.
  2. In the Atlas, in the glossary, read and copy the definition of empire onto Map A.
  3. Turn to Map B. On the map, label each area in the Austrian Empire with its largest nationality.
  4. Next to Vienna, write G for Germans.
  5. Next to Budapest, write H for Hungarians
  6. Next to Prague, write CZ for Czechs.
  7. Between Milan and Venice, write I for Italians.
  8. East of Venice, write SLO for Slovenians
  9. South of SLO, write C for Croatians
  10. Southeast boundary of the Empire, write R for Romanians
  11. North of R, write U for Ukrainians
  12. Near Krakow, write P for Poles
  13. Between H and P, write SLA for Slovaks
  1. People lived in other areas as well. Many Germans for example, lived in Czech and the Hungarian areas. Some nationalities were not concentrated in any particular area
  2. Jews lived throughout the empire. Next to G, H, CZ, P, U, and R, draw a Jewish symbol (all in one color)
  3. Gypsies also lived in the empire. Next to R and H, write GY for Gypsy (all in a new color)

Nationalism and Rebellions

  1. In the past, in the Austrian Empire, local leaders ruled each area. After 1815 an effort was made to unify the empire. New laws created a standard school system. Only German textbooks would be used. The other nationalities were outraged. In the Atlas, on page 105, look at map C.
  2. In 1848 nationalities throughout the empire rebelled against the new laws. On Map B, near Krakow, Vienna, Budapest, and Venice, draw a conflict symbol (all in a new color)
  1. The Hungarians demanded their own kingdom. In 1867 the emperor tried to respond to their demands and split the empire into the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. The emperor ruled both.
  2. Notice the boundary between Austria and Hungary on page 105, map D.
  3. On Map C, label all of the ethnic groups from Map B.
  4. On Map C, circle the area that includes the Hungarians, Slovenians, Croats, and Romanians. This area was the Kingdom of Hungary.
  5. After 1867 the Austrian Empire was called Austria-Hungary. Above the country write Austria Hungary
  1. Two nationalist movements worked to unite people of a common nationality.
  2. Some Italians wanted to create a single ItalianKingdom. In 1860 and 1866, they invaded Italian areas of the Austrian Empire. In the Atlas on page 104 look at picture B and read the caption.

INVASIONS (use a new color)

  1. On Map C, from northwestern Italy to Venice, draw an arrow and label it Italian invasion.
  2. At the same time, some Germans wanted a German kingdom. In 1866 they invaded the Austrian Empire. From Berlin to Vienna, draw an arrow and label it German invasion.
  1. Within the Austria-Hungary nationalist movements continued to grow. Other nationalities wanted to create new countries or join other countries outside the empire (new color).
  2. Many Germans wanted to join the new German Empire. On map C, draw an arrow from the German area northwards.
  3. In 1878 Romania gained it’s independence from the Ottoman Empire. Romanians in Austria-Hungary wanted to join the new country. Draw an arrow from the Romanian area to the southeast.
  4. The Poles wanted to join the Poles in Russia and Germany to make a new Poland. Draw an arrow north from the Polish area.

Assessment:

In paragraph form and using all three maps explain the major stresses that pulled the Austrian Empire apart. Be sure to list all 4 stresses in the order in which they occurred.