Austria

On April 20, 1792, Austria declared war on France, marking the beginning of the War of the First Coalition. This conflict was part of a series of revolutionary wars that followed the French Revolution. Austria, along with Prussia, opposed revolutionary France due to fears that revolutionary fervor and ideas might spread across Europe. The war involved a series of campaigns and battles and marked Austria's initial efforts to curtail the influence of revolutionary France.

On June 9, 1815, the Congress of Vienna concluded its negotiations, having begun in 1814 after the defeat of Napoleon. The Congress aimed to restore order and stability in Europe after the turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars. Key decisions included the redrawing of Europe's borders, the re-establishment of old regimes, and the promotion of a balance of power. Austria played a significant role as Prince Klemens von Metternich, an Austrian diplomat, was instrumental in shaping the Vienna settlement.

On March 13, 1848, revolutionary fervor swept across Europe and reached the Austrian Empire. The revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals throughout the continent, including the Austrian Empire, that demanded liberal constitutions, the end of autocratic rule, and social and economic reforms. In Vienna, political demonstrations led to the resignation of Chancellor Metternich. These revolutions, although initially successful in some regions, ultimately failed to bring lasting change.

The Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, finalized on December 21, created the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary. This agreement saw Hungary gain equal status with Austria, marking the empire's transformation into a dual monarchy. Both Austria and Hungary had their own constitution, government, and administrative systems, but were linked by shared ministries for finance, defense, and foreign affairs. This compromise was an attempt to address the coherent governance and nationalist demands within the empire.

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia. The assassination was carried out by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb member of a group seeking the unification of Slavic peoples. This event is often cited as the catalyst that triggered World War I, as it led to a series of diplomatic crises among the great powers. Austria-Hungary's subsequent declaration of war against Serbia ignited a chain reaction.

On March 12, 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria in a political event known as the Anschluss. This maneuver effectively dissolved Austrian independence and incorporated Austria into the Third Reich, following pressure and infiltration by pro-Nazi elements within Austria. The Anschluss was welcomed by many Austrians but was also a forceful takeover that violated the Treaty of Versailles and St. Germain, which prohibited the unification of Austria and Germany after World War I.

On May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was signed, officially ending the post-World War II occupation of Austria and marking its reestablishment as a sovereign state. The treaty was signed by the Allied Powers (United States, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and France) and Austria. It stipulated that Austria would remain a neutral country and forbade any future political or economic union with Germany. This treaty restored Austria's independence and territorial integrity.

On November 4, 1956, the Soviet Union crushed the Hungarian Revolution. Austria, which lay west of Hungary and had declared its neutrality in international conflicts in 1955, became a key destination for Hungarian refugees fleeing the violence. Over 180,000 Hungarian refugees escaped to Austria within weeks. Austria's reception of refugees was praised worldwide and demonstrated Austria's commitment to humanitarian ideals in the Cold War environment, respecting its neutral status while offering asylum.

On January 1, 1995, Austria officially joined the European Union (EU), a move ratified by a national referendum held in June 1994. Austria's accession to the EU was a significant political and economic event, marking a shift from its post-World War II neutral stance towards greater integration into European structures. The membership promised economic benefits, enhanced political influence, and stronger cooperation on issues such as trade, the environment, and regional development.

On February 4, 2000, Austria became the first European nation to include a far-right party in government when the Austrian People's Party formed a coalition with the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). This sparked significant controversy both domestically and internationally due to the FPÖ's nationalist and anti-immigration stance, and the EU temporarily imposed diplomatic sanctions. The move was a test case for the EU's willingness to respond to political shifts within member states.