Franz Joseph I Facts & Worksheets

Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 and Other Reforms

• Austrian foreign policy suffered a succession of setbacks in the 1850s, including the Crimean War, the dissolution of alliances, and defeat in the Second Italian War of Independence. The Austro-Prussian War of 1866 heightened the difficulties faced by Austria and ultimately contributed to the formation of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867.
• Throughout the negotiations that culminated in the Compromise, political leaders in Hungary pursued two primary goals. Initially, their objective was to legally and politically reinstate the Hungarian state to its traditional standing, which had been compromised after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. Furthermore, they endeavoured to have the reform laws implemented by the revolutionary parliament of 1848 reinstated. The foundation of these laws was the 12 principles that delineated contemporary political and civil liberties, in addition to economic and societal transformations in Hungary.
• The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 served as a pivotal moment when it restored a portion of the Kingdom of Hungary's sovereignty and severed its direct subjugation to the Austrian Empire. In addition, Hungary was accorded the status of an equal partner with Austria, which effectively terminated the 18-year reign of military dictatorship and absolutism instituted by Emperor Franz Joseph at the onset of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. On 8 June, Franz Joseph was formally crowned King of Hungary, and on 28 July, he enacted legislation that formally established the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary over the Habsburg domains.
• The triumph of the Compromise was ascribed by Emperor Franz Joseph to the combined efforts of himself, Deák and Andrássy. Despite Austria experiencing increasing political challenges in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the patriarchal authority of Franz Joseph was pivotal in maintaining the Empire's cohesion. Amid factionalism and political discord, his authority served as a unifying force.

Foreign Relations

Kingdom of Bohemia

• Following Franz Joseph's succession to the throne in 1848, political representatives from the Kingdom of Bohemia sought that their historical state privileges be recognised in the new constitution. They espoused the idea of holding the coronation in Prague as a means to accentuate the status of Bohemia within the Habsburg monarchy. Nevertheless, the historical implementation of hereditary authority in Bohemia under the Habsburgs did not require an additional coronation.
• The objective of instituting neo-absolutism in Austrian domestic matters was to administer the Austrian Empire bureaucratically and centrally. Although Franz Joseph encountered setbacks in Italy, his reestablishment of constitutional rule sparked renewed debates regarding his coronation as King of Bohemia in 1861. Nevertheless, constitutional issues impeded the progress of the negotiations. A triumphant sojourn to Prague ensued in 1866, after the defeat of Franz Joseph at the Battle of Koniggratz.
• As a result of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, the Czechs were deprived of the anticipated acknowledgement of distinguishable Bohemian state rights. Dissatisfaction over military losses incurred during the Austro-Prussian War led to protests and open demonstrations in Bohemia, which expressed opposition to dualism.
• In 1870–1871, efforts to address the concern regarding Bohemia were recommenced, during which time Franz Joseph declared his desire to be coronated. The 1871 negotiations that resulted in the articles sought to establish a clear and precise connection between the Habsburg Monarchy and the Bohemian Crown. Disadvantages, such as the establishment of the German Empire and domestic resistance, ultimately impeded the progress of these articles. Notwithstanding continuous political transformations and the participation of notable individuals such as Tomá Garrigue Masaryk, the concern regarding Bohemia endured and remained unresolved for the duration of Franz Joseph's reign.

Germany

• The consolidation of Germany under the House of Habsburg was the principal objective of Franz Joseph's foreign policy. This aspiration was based on historical precedent, given that the German monarchy was largely under the control of the Habsburgs until the fall of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. Addressing the concern regarding Germany gave rise to two distinct factions: those in favour of Greater Germany, who advocated for the incorporation of Austria into a unified German state, and those in favour of Lesser Germany, who opposed Austria's inclusion on account of its status as a multi-nation state. Following Prussia's triumph in the Seven Weeks War, the rivalry between Austria and Prussia grew more intense, culminating in Austria's eventual exclusion from German affairs.
• To preserve peace in Europe, Franz Joseph, Emperor Wilhelm I of Germany and Emperor Alexander II of Russia joined the League of Three Emperors in 1873. The league persisted on a sporadic basis until 1887. 
• In addition, regarding Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the mid-1870s, uprisings against Ottoman rule in the Balkans prompted Russia and Austria-Hungary to enter into intervention agreements. Following the 1878 Treaty of Berlin, Austria was granted permission to occupy Bosnia-Herzegovina. The annexation in 1908, in particular, contributed to diplomatic crises that escalated tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia, ultimately requiring a revision of the Treaty of Berlin in 1909.

The Outbreak of the First World War, Death, Family and Legacy

• The starting point of World War I occurred on 28 June 1914, when Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his spouse Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo. Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip was responsible for the assassination. After being informed of the death of his nephew and heir-presumptive, Franz Joseph conveyed his agreement with the restoration of order by a superior power. The responsibility for making decisions during the July Crisis rested with influential individuals within the Austro-Hungarian government. When Serbia was presented with an ultimatum, the stage was set for conflict. War was proclaimed on 28 July 1914, and on 6 August 1914, Franz Joseph affixed his signature to the declaration of war against Russia.
• On 21 November 1916, at the age of 86, Franz Joseph died in the Schonbrunn Palace. He succumbed to pneumonia of the right lung after contracting a chill during a stroll in Schonbrunn Park. He was succeeded by Charles I, his grandnephew, and was buried in the Imperial Crypt in Vienna.
• Regarding Franz Joseph's family, his mother had a significant influence on his private life. Although Princess Anna of Prussia and Princess Elisabeth of Modena were among the potential brides the emperor considered, Franz Joseph fell in love with Elisabeth, also known as Sisi, who happened to be the younger sister of his intended bride, Helene. It was said that their union was unsatisfactory and plagued by disasters. Sophie, their firstborn daughter, passed away during infancy, and Rudolf, their only son, committed suicide in 1889. Sisi regarded the 34-year relationship between Franz Joseph and actress Katharina Schratt with toleration but maintained a platonic stance. In 1898, an anarchist fatally stabbed Elisabeth, inflicting deep sorrow on Franz Joseph, who was unable to completely recuperate from the tragedy.
• Concerning Franz Ferdinand's announcement of his intention to marry Countess Sophie Chotek, it exacerbated the already strained relationship between Franz Joseph and his nephew who was also the presumed heir to the throne. Despite his initial opposition to the union, Franz Joseph allowed it in 1900 and proclaimed the marriage morganatic, marriage between people with unequal social rank, thereby disqualifying their offspring from ascending to the throne. 
• Franz Joseph's reign was marked by one of the most effective civil administrations in Europe, which characterised Austria-Hungary. He retained authority over military affairs and foreign policy, attributing any criticism to himself. He restricted the influence of ministers, and after their dismissal, they ceased to be consulted, despite his allegiance to them.
• In his later years, Franz Joseph, who had been initially esteemed but unpopular, attained international veneration while attempting to cease the decline of the empire. Throughout his reign, Franz Joseph ruled the empire, which encountered obstacles but also produced social legislation and reforms concerning its foreign relations, all of which reflected the emperor's commitment to duty.