Austro-German relations

Austro-German relations are relations between Austria and Germany. Due to German being the common language of the two European countries relations between them are close.

The Holy Roman Empire to German Unification

The House of Habsburg was the family that dominated the loose German confederation called the Holy Roman Empire (HRE) until it was abolished in 1806. The Habsburg's seat of power was the German-speaking Archduchy of Austria but they controlled many non-German territories as well. Within the HRE the member states jostled for power and influence and often warred against each other. Austria's main rival from the 18th century on was Prussia. Prussia and Austria fought a series of wars over the province of Silesia. Before the HRE was abolished, in oder to ensure they maintained the prestige of the title of "emperors," the Habsburgs declared Austria an empire. After the HRE was disolved the new German Confederation was created and again Austria struggled for influence with Prussia. Prussia hoped to unite the German states in a union that excluded Austria. Prussia succeeded in creating a German Customs Union, and after the Austro-Prussian War, a new North German Confederation, both of which excluded Austria. These grouping became the precursors to the German Empire, proclaimed in 1871.

Austria-Hungary and the German Empire

Austria changed itself from a German-focused power into a multi-national Eastern European one with the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867. Afterwards relations with the new Prussian-dominated German Empire improved but Germany was now clearly the stronger of the two powers. They cooperated in the League of the Three Emperors and the Dual Alliance, which became the basis for the Austro-German alliance during the First World War.

The Great War ended badly for the Central Powers, however, and both empires were disbanded.

Interwar

After the war Austria lost it many non-German territories and was reduced to a rump called German Austria. Some in that state wanted to join the new German republic but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. After Austrian-born Hitler came to power in Germany, he demanded the right to "Anschluss" or Union between Austria and Germany.

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