Franz Josef I Biography

Franz Joseph I is born at Schoenbrunn Palace, eldest son of Archduke Franz Karl and Princess Sophie.

Ferdinand I abdicates in favour of his nehew, Franz Josef I

Emperor Ferdinand abdicates at Olomouc, as part of Minister-president Felix zu Schwarzenberg's plan to end the Revolutions of 1848 in Hungary

By the abdication of his uncle Ferdinand and the renunciation of his father, Franz Joseph succeeds as Emperor of Austria

The 1849 constitution is suspended, and a policy of absolutist centralism is established, guided by the Minister of the Interior, Alexander Bach

Nominally accepts Parliamentary monarchy. Draws up an absolutist constitution after the Battle of Kaolna

The "House of Habsburg is for ever deposed from sovereignty over Hungary". Hungary declares its independence

The "House of Habsburg is for ever deposed from sovereignty over Hungary". Hungary declares its independence

Appeals to Tsar Nicholas for help in putting down the Hungarian rebellion

The rebellion in Hungary is defeated & Kossuth forced into exile

The Hungarians are defeated by the Russians at Temesvar

Hungarys General Gorgey surrenders to the Russian forces & Russia gives Hungary back to Austria

Meets Frederick William & offers joint administration of the German Confederation

Prussia accepts Franzs offer to help administer the German Confederation

Franz Josef I rules as an absolute monarch for the next 10 yrs

Shots are exchanged between Austrian & Prussian soldiers, the 1st since 1778

The French mobilize in Alsace & direct Prussian & Austrian aggression is diffused

Preserves centralized authority & destroys local & provincial privileges. Declares the Liberal Constitution of 1849 void

Janos Libenyi attempts to assassinate Franz Josef I

Franz Josef marries Elizabeth, 1st cousin & daughter of Duke Maximilian of Bavaria

Austria refuses to support either the Allies or the Russians and alienates both.

Austria refuses to support either the Allies or the Russians and alienates both.

Presses Russia to evacuate the Danubian Principalities.

Authorises strong diplomatic pressure threatening Russia with Austrian intervention unless it accepts peace negotiations.

Forced to surrender Lombardy at the Armistice of Villafranca

France declares war Austria

Results in a French-Sardinian victory under Napoleon III against the Austrians under Marshal Ferencz Gyulai. French victory at Magenta is followed by the French liberation of Milan

French victory at Magenta is followed by the French liberation of Milan

The north Italian village of Solferino is captured by the French from the Austrians. The North Italian village of Solferino is captured by the French from Franz Josef. Dismisses Gyulai & assumes command of 160,000 against the Franco-Piedmontese. Defeated by the French in Piedmonts attempt to gain Lombardy or Venetia & unite Italy

Dismisses Gyulai & assumes command of 160,000 against the Franco-Piedmontese

Defeated by the French in Piedmonts attempt to gain Lombardy or Venetia & unite Italy

Defeated by the French in Piedmonts attempt to gain Lombardy or Venetia & unite Italy

Defeated by the French in Piedmonts attempt to gain Lombardy or Venetia & unite Italy

France & Austria agree an armistice

Under the peace of Villafranca Venice remains Austrian. Under the peace of Villafranca Tuscany & Modena are to be restored. Under the peace of Villafranca Parma & Lombardy are ceded to France. The preliminary peace of Villafranca

Under the peace of Villafranca Parma & Lombardy are ceded to France

Under the peace of Villafranca Parma & Lombardy are ceded to France

Under the peace of Villafranca Venice remains Austrian

The peace of Villafranca is confirmed

The Treaty of Zurich confirms the peace of Villafranca

The Treaty of Zurich confirms the peace of Villafranca

Agrees to co-operate with the Diets in the crown lands & central Reichsrat

In the Treaty of Vienna Denmark cedes Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria

In the Treaty of Vienna Denmark cedes Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria

In the Treaty of Vienna Denmark cedes Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria

In the Treaty of Vienna Denmark cedes Schleswig, Holstein and Lauenburg to Prussia and Austria

Beust gains a majority in the Reichsrat & carries through the Ausgleich

Luxembourg becomes neutral & demilitarized under the protection of the European powers

Hungary has independence in internal affairs but acts with Austria in foreign affairs. Beust gains a majority in the Reichsrat & carries through the Ausgleich. Austria & Hungary unite under the Habsburg crown with separate Parliaments. Austria & Hungary share foreign, defense & financial policy with separate Parliaments

Crowned King of Hungary as part of a Dual Monarchy

Crowned King of Hungary as part of a Dual Monarchy

Franz Josefs bother Maximilian is executed in Mexico

Austria & Hungary share foreign, defense & financial policy with separate Parliaments

Crowned King of Hungary as part of a Dual Monarchy

Reform of the Franchise in favour of Germans

Reform of the Franchise in favour of Germans

Reform of the Franchise in favour of Germans

Reform of the Franchise in favour of Germans

An alliance of the Emperors of Germany, Russia & Austria

An alliance of the Emperors of Germany, Russia & Austria

An Alliance is agreed between Germany & Austria

Battle of Pirot, see-saw Battle swirling about the village of Pirot, two days later, Franz Joseph forces an armistice in the Serbian War

Battle of Pirot, see-saw Battle swirling about the village of Pirot, two days later, Franz Joseph forces an armistice in the Serbian War

Death of Rudolf, Franz Josefs only son & successor commits suicide

Franz Josefs only son & successor commits suicide. Death of Rudolf, Franz Josefs only son & successor commits suicide

Universal suffrage is introduced

Universal suffrage is introduced

Universal suffrage is introduced

Universal suffrage is introduced

Russia & Austria jointly demand Turkey make reforms in the Balkans

Russia & Austria jointly demand Turkey make reforms in the Balkans

Austria alienates Russia by illegally annexing Bosnia-Herzegovina

Austria alienates Russia by illegally annexing Bosnia-Herzegovina

Assassination of Frnz Ferdinand, Franz Josefs cousin & heir

A Council of Austro-Hungarian Minister's finally determine on action against Serbia

A Council of Austro-Hungarian Minister's approve of draft ultimatum to Serbia

The Austro-Hungarian Government send ultimatum to Serbia. Austria declares war on Serbia

Issues an Ultimatum to Serbia, mostly complied with

Austria-Hungary severs diplomatic relations with Serbia. Austro-Hungarian Minister leaves Belgrade

Austro-Hungarian Government order Partial Mobilization as against Serbia

Austro-Hungarian Government order General Mobilization

Austro-Hungarian Government order General Mobilization

Montenegro declares war on Austria-Hungary

Austria & Russia are at war, Russia supports Serbia. Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia

Austria is at war with Montenegro

Austrian forces cross the Save and seize Shabatz

Great Britain is at war with Austria

Austrian forces cross River Drina and begin first invasion of Serbia

Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium

Austria-Hungary severs diplomatic relations with Japan

Japan severs diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary. Japan declares "State of War" with Austria-Hungary

Japan declares "State of War" with Austria-Hungary. Austria is at war with Japan

Austro-Hungarian declaration of war received by Belgian Government. Austria is at war with Belgium

Austro-Hungarian declaration of war received by Belgian Government

The Russians capture Lemberg, Lwow, capital of Austrian Galicia

Battle of the Drina begins

Austrian forces begin second invasion of Serbia

German and Austrian representatives expelled from Egypt

Italy declares war on Austria

After the failure of the Austrian Black Yellow offensive, Germany takes over ultimate control of Austro-Hungarian forces

Death of Franz Josef I, at Schonnbrunn Palace