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Austrian Empire

Central European multinational Empire from 1804 to 1867 / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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The Austrian Empire (German: Kaiserthum Oesterreich, modern spelling Kaisertum Österreich, pronounced [ˌkaɪzɐtuːm ˈøːstəʁaɪç] ), officially known as the Empire of Austria, was a multinational European great power from 1804 to 1867, created by proclamation out of the realms of the Habsburgs. During its existence, it was the third most populous monarchy in Europe after the Russian Empire and the United Kingdom. Along with Prussia, it was one of the two major powers of the German Confederation. Geographically, it was the third-largest empire in Europe after the Russian Empire and the First French Empire.

Quick facts: Empire of AustriaKaisertum Österreich (G...
Empire of Austria
Kaisertum Österreich (German)
1804–1867
Anthem: Gott erhalte Franz den Kaiser
"God Save Emperor Francis"

The Austrian Empire in 1815, with the boundaries of the German Confederation in dotted lines
The Austrian Empire in 1815, with the boundaries of the German Confederation in dotted lines
Greatest extent of the Austrian Empire(1846–1859)
Greatest extent of the Austrian Empire
(1846–1859)
Status
CapitalVienna
Common languagesGerman, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak, Polish, Ruthenian, Slovene, Croatian, Serbian, Romanian, Lombard, Venetian, Friulian, Ladin, Italian, Ukrainian, Yiddish
Religion
Majority:
Roman Catholic (official)
Minorities:
Lutheranism, Calvinist, Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, Jewish
Demonym(s)Austrian
Government
Emperor 
 1804–1835
Francis I
 1835–1848
Ferdinand I
 1848–1867
Franz Joseph I
Minister-President 
 1821–1848
Klemens von Metternich (first)
 1867
Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust (last)
LegislatureImperial Council
House of Lords
House of Deputies
Historical era19th century
 Proclamation
11 August 1804
6 August 1806
8 June 1815
20 October 1860
14 June 1866
30 March 1867
Area
 Total
698,700 km2 (269,800 sq mi)
Currency
ISO 3166 codeAT
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Banner_of_the_Holy_Roman_Emperor_with_haloes_%281400-1806%29.svg Holy Roman Empire
Flag_of_Austria_%285-3%29.png Archduchy of Austria
Flag_of_Salzburg%2C_Vienna%2C_Vorarlberg.svg Electorate of Salzburg
Flag_of_Louis_II_of_Hungary.svg Kingdom of Hungary
Flag_of_Republic_of_Venice_%281659-1675%29.svg Republic of Venice
Flag_of_Milan.svg Duchy of Milan
Flag_of_Bohemia.svg Bohemian Crown
Flag_of_the_Triune_Kingdom_of_Croatia%2C_Slavonia_and_Dalmatia.svg Kingdom of Croatia
Flag_of_the_Kingdom_of_Slavonia.svg Kingdom of Slavonia
Flag_of_Galicia-Lodomeria_%28until_1849%29.svg Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria
Flag_of_Bukowina.svg Duchy of Bukovina
Flag_of_Transylvania_before_1918.svg Principality of Transylvania
Banner_of_the_Federation_of_the_Sette_Comuni.svg Federation of the Seven Communities
Grand_Coat_of_Arms_of_Duchy_of_Warsaw.svg Duchy of Warsaw
North German Confederation Flag_of_Germany_%281867%E2%80%931918%29.svg
Austria-Hungary Imperial_Coat_of_Arms_of_the_Empire_of_Austria.svg
Cisleithania Flag_of_the_Habsburg_Monarchy.svg
Transleithania Flag_of_Hungary_%281848-1849%2C_1867-1869%29.svg
Kingdom of Italy Flag_of_Italy_%281861-1946%29_crowned.svg
Duchy of Warsaw Grand_Coat_of_Arms_of_Duchy_of_Warsaw.svg
1: Territories of Austria and Bohemia only.
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The empire was proclaimed by Francis II in 1804 in response to Napoleon's declaration of the First French Empire, unifying all Habsburg possessions under one central government. It remained part of the Holy Roman Empire until the latter's dissolution in 1806. It continued fighting against Napoleon throughout the Napoleonic Wars, except for a period between 1809 and 1813, when Austria was first allied with Napoleon during the invasion of Russia and later neutral during the first few weeks of the Sixth Coalition War. Austria emerged victorious in the war, and became a leading member of the German Confederation along with Prussia after the Congress of Vienna.

The Kingdom of Hungary—as Regnum Independens—was administered by its own institutions separately from the rest of the empire. After Austria was defeated in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 was adopted, joining the Kingdom of Hungary and the Empire of Austria to form Austria-Hungary.