The Politics of the Dual Monarchy: Stability and Instability
Summary
The text discusses the politics of the Dual Monarchy, comprising Austria and Hungary, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It explores the domination of Emperor Franz Joseph, the rising nationalism along the empire’s borders, and pressures for democratic participation from emerging working classes. The Reichsrat underwent gradual modernisation, with the franchise gradually extended in the spirit of cautious liberalism. The politics of the Dual Monarchy were initially dominated by men from the north, and there were short-lived ministries in succession. Hungary possessed autonomy and underwent modernisation, but the Liberal Party was kept in power by a restricted franchise, leading to the end of the era of Liberal domination. The Italian political system during this time was marked by the rapid succession of short-lived governments and a series of power struggles.
Table of Contents
- Franz Joseph and the Dual Monarchy
- Modernisation and Franchise Extension
- Count Eduard Taaffe’s Prime Ministerial Tenure
- Hungarian Autonomy and Nationalist Pressures
- The Italian Political System in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
- Depretis’ Government and Reforms
- Crispi’s Reformations and Political Corruption
- Giolitti’s Dominance and Social Instability
Q&A
Franz Joseph and the Dual Monarchy
Q: Who provided stability and continuity to the empire despite personal tragedies and antiquated beliefs?
A: Emperor Franz Joseph provided stability and continuity to the empire despite his antiquated beliefs and a series of personal tragedies.
Q: What was the Dual Monarchy?
A: The Dual Monarchy was comprised of Austria and Hungary.
Modernisation and Franchise Extension
Q: When did the Reichsrat undergo modernisation?
A: The Reichsrat underwent gradual modernisation during the 19th and early 20th centuries, with the franchise gradually extended in the spirit of cautious liberalism.
Q: Who was the leading figure in modernisation?
A: Prince Adolf von Auersperg was the leading figure in modernisation and passed a number of liberal reforms.
Count Eduard Taaffe’s Prime Ministerial Tenure
Q: Who became the prime minister after Auersperg?
A: Following the election, Count Eduard Taaffe became a prime minister.
Q: What was Taaffe’s primary aim?
A: Taaffe’s primary aim was to keep all the nationalities of the Monarchy in a state of even and well-modulated discontent, acknowledging the inevitability of growing nationalist pressures.
Hungarian Autonomy and Nationalist Pressures
Q: Did Hungary have autonomy?
A: Yes, Hungary possessed autonomy and underwent modernisation, but the Liberal Party was kept in power by a restricted franchise, leading to the end of the era of Liberal domination.
Q: What were the pressures facing the Dual Monarchy?
A: The Dual Monarchy faced rising nationalism along its borders and pressures for democratic participation from emerging working classes.
The Italian Political System in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
Q: What was the Italian political system like during this time?
A: The Italian political system during this time was marked by the rapid succession of short-lived governments and a series of power struggles.
Q: What dominated much of the time and energy of successive governments in the 1860s?
A: The question of Rome and battles with the Church dominated much of the time and energy of successive governments in the 1860s.
Depretis’ Government and Reforms
Q: Who came to power after social reforms became evident by 1876?
A: The liberal Left, led by Agostino Depretis, came to power after social reforms became evident by 1876.
Q: What did Depretis promise?
A: Depretis promised ‘more democracy’, achieved some significant reforms, such as a large-scale programme of railway-building and the establishment of universal, free and compulsory elementary education, and enacted an extension of the franchise to increase the electorate.
Crispi’s Reformations and Political Corruption
Q: Who succeeded Depretis as Prime Minister?
A: Francesco Crispi, a former associate of Depretis and a nationalist, succeeded Depretis as Prime Minister.
Q: What did Crispi do?
A: Crispi reformed the system in various ways, but could not curb corruption that was rampant in Italian politics.
Giolitti’s Dominance and Social Instability
Q: Who dominated Italian politics in the years leading up to World War I?
A: Giovanni Giolitti, another left-liberal, dominated Italian politics in the years leading up to World War I and extended the franchise.
Q: What caused social tensions?
A: Social tensions were increasing due to the headlong rush towards industrialisation in the north of Italy, which the political system poorly managed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the politics of the Dual Monarchy and Italy during the 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by stability and instability. Emperor Franz Joseph provided stability and continuity to the Dual Monarchy, but rising nationalism along its borders and pressures for democratic participation from emerging working classes threatened its stability. The Reichsrat underwent modernisation, and the franchise was gradually extended, but the Liberal Party was kept in power by a restricted franchise, leading to the end of the era of Liberal domination. Similarly, the Italian political system was characterised by the rapid succession of short-lived governments and a series of power struggles, accompanied by corruption in politics. Nonetheless, the extension of the franchise and significant reforms improved the system, albeit with social tensions increasing due to industrialisation.
