AEIOU: A Podcast about Austria

Episode 16: Austria Becomes a Democracy, Sort of

We saw how Austria was a neoabsolutist hellscape before the Compromise of 1867. But with Franz Joseph losing wars and territory, he quickly transformed his remaining dominions into a democracy, although not necessarily a functioning one. In this episode, we take a quick overview of Austrian politics between 1867 and 1890, when new parties arose to challenge the liberal consensus.

Episode 15: The Best and Cheapest Lawyer

ALL NEW EPISODE
The title of this episode comes from an old saying about compromise, chosen because the topic this week is the Compromise of 1867, which created Austria-Hungary. It's also said a good compromise is one by which no one is happy. Unfortunately for Austria, it ends up a little unhappier than Hungary.

Episode 14: Counter-Revolution, Another War in Italy, and the (Not So Nifty) 1850s

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This episode covers the end of the revolutions of 1848, finishing late in 1849, with both a new emperor (Franz Joseph) and a new war in Italy. The emperor will serve for much longer, and the war in Italy will be much shorter. In the meantime, forget about those revolutionary reforms for now.

Episode 13: A Podcast about Italy

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In this episode, we're faced with the same problem as before but in different form -- how can this be a podcast about Austria but have an episode set largely in a totally different country? Well, when you're a Great Power in the center of Europe, things can get complicated.

Episode 12: Habsburg Genetics Strike Again

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This episode details the reign of Emperor Ferdinand, who gives old Charles II of Spain a run for his money on the award for most inbred Habsburg monarch. That the final year of his reign is also the most revolutionary year in all of Europe's history is merely a coincidence.

Episode 11: A New European Order?

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In this episode, we'll wrap up the Napoleonic Wars and learn how Austrian Chancellor and Foreign Minister Klemens von Metternich helped establish the Concert of Europe and ushered in an era of peace. Kind of. There was some peace. There was also a stabbing or two.

Episode 10: A Podcast About Belgium?

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Well, not really Belgium so much as the Austrian Netherlands, Liege, and a few other places. In this episode, we'll discuss how the French Revolution influenced events in Austria, and we'll learn a little bit about how ultimatums can backfire.

Episode 9: Josephine (not Napoleonic) Austria

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In this episode, we talk about the monumental reforms undertaken during the reign of Joseph II, and we learn that, where Poland loses, Austria gains -- both territory and new ethnic groups!

Episode 8: One Maria of Many

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In this episode, we discuss the reign over Austria of Maria Theresa, the only woman to rule the Habsburg Monarchy. We'll learn why she named all her daughters Maria, how she felt about religion and politics, and some of the permanent changes with which she left Austria.

Episode 7: Succession

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No, it's not another installment in the ongoing saga of the Roy family! It's the story of two wars of succession, one in Spain and one in Austria. Learn why the so-called Habsburg jaw indicated a bigger problem than just your chin arriving in any given room ten minutes before the rest of your head.