The army was perhaps the most important single institution in the multinational empire of the Hapsburgs. The Austro-Hungarian dynasty survived through the military power it could command, and the rise and fall of the fortress of the Hapsburgs were mirrored accurately in the state of its military establishment. It was in the army alone, with its common language, ideals, and loyalty, that the concept of a great empire headed by an emperor was even partially translated into reality. But in an age of nationalism, the army alone could not save the multinational state. Tradition and circumstance cast it into the role of a loyal servant the Emperor Francis Joseph and his dynasty, a role which proved inadequate to deal with the problems of the age. Rothenberg's work is the first analytical, full-length study of the army of Francis Joseph throughout its history from 1815-1918. He considers campaigns, battles, and leaders, but places his main emphasis on analyses of the overall developments in the military establishment, its role in foreign and internal policy, and above all on its struggle against the disintegration of the empire under the strain of growing national division.
Contents
Introduction
A Note on Ranks and Names
1 The Evolution of the Army: Origins to Archduke Charles
2 The Austrian Army in the Age of Metternich: 1815-1847
3 Guardians of an Empire: The Army 1848-1849
4 The Emperor's Personal Command: 1849-1859
5 The End of an Age: 1860-1866
6 Dualism and Reorganization: 1867-1874
7 The Army and the Balkans: 1874-1881
8 The Era of Beck and Albrecht: 1881-1895
9 Foreign Equilibrium and Internal Crisis: 1895-1905
10 The Conrad Era from His Appointment to the Annexation Crisis: 1906-1909
11 Conrad, Moltke, Aehrenthal, and the Balkan Crises: 1909-1913
12 Austria-Hungary's Last War: 1914-1915
13 War on Many Fronts and the Death of Emperor Francis Joseph: 1915-1916
14 Emperor Charles and the Dissolution of the Habsburg Army: 1916-1918
15 Epilogue
Notes
Index