Habsburg Monarchy From Enlightenment to Eclipse

The multi-national Habsburg empire has never lost its fascination since its fall in 1918. Robin Okey's book shows how the Habsburg peoples experienced the same social, economi, and political processes as most other Europeans, in ways that cast interesting light on these processes from both the European and the Habsburg angle. Opposing views that the national problem was therefore subordinate to underlying socio-economic backwardness, Okey argues for the inextricable entanglement of the two themes, as nationalism emerged from a process of social mobilization which threatened the position of dominant Austro-Germans and Magyars. Robin Okey brings a distinctive approach to an intriguing subject, in a comprehensive study based on wide reading in most of the Monarchy's languages.

"Scholars and students will welcome this fine survey of the Habsburg Monarchy in the modern era." --Choice

“Named a Choice outstanding academic title for 2001.” —Choice

“Scholars and students will welcome this fine survey of the Habsburg Monarchy in the modern era. This is comparative history at its best. Highly recommended...” —Choice

"...thoughtfully organized and informed by recent research...full of interesting material and examples..."--David S. Luft, Central European History

The Habsburg Monarchy thoroughly explores the dynastic characters and the multi-national complexity of the region as well as the way the Monarchy dealt with issues within the European framework, like the ending of Absolutism and education. The book spans from Joseph IIs accession as Holy Roman Emperor and joint ruler of the Habsburg lands with his Mother Maria Theresa in 1765 to its fall in 1918. Utilizing English, German, Serbo-Croat, Czech, and Magyar sources, as well as others, this book is the most comprehensive history of the Habsburg Empire ever written.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 416-439) and index.

The first focused account of the Habsburg Monarchy's nationality problems, this comprehensive new history brings a distinctive approach to an intriguing subject

Robin Okey is Senior Lecturer in History at the University of Warwick. He lives in the United Kingdom.

Part I: Dynastic Empire, c. 1765-1867 * Foundations * Joseph II and his Legacy * Metternich's Austria: Pyrrhic Victory Abroad * Social Question at Home * Liberalism and Nationalism 1848-49 * Eventful Transition, 1849-67 * Part II: Dual Monarchy, 1867-1918 * Liberalism * Economics * Society and Social Movements * Nationalism * Hungary *Austria-Hungary in the Early Twentieth Century * Towards War and Collapse