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Jan 1, 1282
Habsburg Dynasty Established in Austria
In 1282, the Habsburg dynasty was established in Austria, and grew in importance with each passing year. -
Period: Jan 1, 1440 to
Habsburgs were the Rulers of the Holy Roman Empire
Eventually, the Habsburg dynasty’s importance grew to the point where a Habsburg was emperor of the Holy Roman Empire continuously from 1440 to 1806 (with the small exception of Charles VII, who ruled from 1742 to 1745). -
Jan 1, 1519
Charles V Elected as Holy Roman Emperor
The Habsburg prince Charles V was elected to the post of Holy Roman Emperor in 1519. -
Period: Jan 1, 1519 to
Habsburgs Strive for Expansion
Between the division of family territories in 1519 to the end of the Spanish Succession in 1714, the Habsburgs pulled together all of their resources to strive for their dynastic goals across Europe. -
Period: to
The Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Year War lasted from 1618 to 1648, and had many components. First, it was a struggle between the Catholic emperor and Protestant princes for power. Second, it was a struggle between the Catholic powers: the Spanish, Austrian Hapsburgs, and the French. Many atrocities were committed during this war, and central Europe was so devastated that it did not recover for more than a century. The Thirty Years War also marked a turning point in the way wars were fought. -
The Siege of Vienna
In 1683, a new crusade was launched against the Turkish in order to defend Vienna against the siege (Biesinger). This venture was extremely costly and pushed Habsburg borders eastward (Biesinger). The Habsburg dynasts came out of the Turkish Wars stronger than they had been before. -
Maria Theresa's Inheritance of the Throne was Announced
In 1718, the Austrian government announced that Maria Theresa (who ruled from 1740 to 1780) would succeed her father, Charles VI, and become the ruler of the Habsburg empire. -
Period: to
Maria Theresa's Rule
Maria Theresa was a strong, determined, resourceful, and charismatic ruler who not only mobilized the resources of the land and rallied her ministers, but revolutionized the Austrian government. -
Government Reorganization Completed
Upon discovering how the Provincial States often conflicted with the central government, she called upon Friedrich Wilhelm, who established “Representation and Chamber” in every province (excluding Hungary), which were made responsible to the central government (Biesinger). This reorganization of the government was completed by 1749. -
Period: to
Seven Years' War
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Education System Reformed
There was therefore a complete reformation of the Austrian education system in 1774. Maria Theresa established the General School of Ordinance, which required that children between the ages of six and thirteen learn how to read and write. Many other prominent figures in the Habsburg hierarchy, as well as Maria Theresa herself and her officials, enforced this school. The literacy of the common people became viewed as necessary. -
Joseph II Began his Rule
Maria’s son, Joseph II, succeeded her in 1780 and introduced many radical ideas to Austria. -
Beginning of Religious Tolerance
In 1781, the Edict of Toleration ended the empires complete identification of the Roman Catholic Church. -
Joseph II Abolished Serfdom in Austria
Serfdom became abolished in Austria on November 1st, 1781, and in addition to being freed, the peasants gained hereditary rights to land.