Austria-Hungary

World Wars

World War I

Austria-Hungary entered World War I because the Archduke of Austria-Hungary Franz Ferdinand was assassinated while visiting Serbia. Ferdinand was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary and he was killed by a Serbian terrorist. This upset the royal family, the government and their fellow countrymen that an important figure was killed during a diplomatic mission.  They wanted the assassins to be brought to justice and the Serbian government to comply with whatever they told them to do; however, the assassination wasn't the Serbian government's fault, allegedly, because it was ordered by a terrorist group called the Black Hand . They gave Serbia an ultimatum, but it was all a ruse.  Austria-Hungary actually wanted to declare war on Serbia because there were tensions building up between these two nations, even before the incident.  If the Serbian government declined the terms that were given to them,  Austria-Hungary had a reason to declare war on them.  This dispute drew in Germany, who had ties with Austria-Hungary, and Russia, who had ties with Serbia.   Germany encouraged Austria-Hungary’s desire to go to war.  When Serbia did not respond to Austria Hungary’s ultimatum, war was declared.  Russia then declared was on Austria Hungary because to their alliance with Serbia and Germany in turn declared war on Russia because of an treaty with Austria-Hungary.  France was then drawn into war because of a treaty with Russia and then Britain allied with France entered the war. The alliances that were made escalated a war, that was supposedly between two small countries, to  world-wide conflict which left many nations in ruin and debt and resulted in millions of lives being killed.

During the war, Austria-Hungary made little progress on the Serbian front.  The state was trying to hold on when their troop were stretched out.  Because of their location Austria-Hungary had to play the defensive.  In truth with so many surrounding countries fighting against Austria Hungary, the state had little hope.  Austria-Hungary lost World War I.  Also, one of the largest problems with the war were the nations of people.  They were not completely loyal to the throne and may of them deserted in the middle of the war. 

As a result of losing the war,  Austria-Hungary was divided into ruling nations.  Many of these ruling nations are Czech, Slovak, Poles, Ukrainian, Romanians, Croats, Serbs, Slovenians,  and Italians.   




World War II

During World War II, Austria was a territory of Germany.  So during the war the men and peoples of Austria fought for Hitler.  Hungary, much like Austria, joined the axis powers during the war and fought with Hitler.

Hungary fought against the Soviet Union in the beginning of the war, but much to Germany's dismay, the state made secret peace agreements with the United States and Britain. When Germany found out, they decided to occupy Hungary in 1944. Soon after the occupation, Hungary signed a peace agreement with the Soviet Union.  The jews in Hungary were protected from the Holocaust during the early years of the war, but after the Germans occupied, many Jews and Roma's were killed. 

Many Austrians were involved in the Holocaust. They were quick to adopt the Nazi ideals.