Diplomacy in the Center of Europe: Austria 1814-1914

Part I: From Congress to War

The conduct of Austria’s foreign policy before the First World War demonstrates, how a bad foreign policy could transform a country from a dominant power into an isolated one. After the Congress of Vienna, 1814-15), Austria was the dominant country in Europe. She dominated Central Europe; was the leading power within the German Confederation, and exercised political dominance over Italy.

Part II: From Greatness to Decline and Dissolution

For Austria, World War I was already lost when it was started. On June 28 th 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated in Sarajevo in Bosnia. Vienna concluded that the perpetrators were supported by Serbia.