How Did Austria-Hungary Lose the First World War? - The Collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The end of the First World War for Austria-Hungary happened in November 1918. After Bulgaria's surrender and the fall of the Ottoman Empire the Austrio-Hungarian Empire and the German Empire were the last of the Central Powers still fighting the Great War. The Second Battle of the Piave River was fought in the Summer of 1918 and a serious defeat for the Habsburg Army. The Battle of Monte Grappa and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto were the last battles in which the Austria-Hungarian Army fought against the Allies. The defeat marked the end of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Learn more about the end of WW1.
History Hustle presents: How Did Austria-Hungary Lose the First World War? - The Collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

SOURCES
– The First World War. A Complete History (Martin Gilbert).
– The White War: Life and Death on the Italian Front 1915-1919 (Mark Thompson).
– The Vanquished. Why the First World War Failed to End, 1917-1923 (Robert Gerwarth).

IMAGES

MUSIC
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License

SOUNDS

[A__PaAng_]

2:30 Emperor Franz Joseph died on Nov 21 1916. In September1918 Emperor Karl the 1st of Austria (aka King Charles the IV of Hungary) wouldve been the one who sued for peace. Also Karl I aka Charles the IV never formerly abdicated. He was dethroned by the legislature in 1919 and sent into exile in Switzerland. The new nations formed from the territories of Austria-Hungary all passed legislation preventing any Hapsburg from claing rights to their thrones.

[luxembourgishempire]

You should (when you have the time) do the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. And then Bulgaria. To complete the series. Excellent video though History Hustle! I am loving these! Keep them coming! 🙂

[TheLocalLt]

Fun fact, after Austria quit, Italy forced Austria to help garrison Italian troops near Innsbruck, the only allied troops to reach the German border since late 1914.

This is a great video on the military defeats of the Austrian-Hungarian KuK armies and their disintegration. Very interesting topic, there’s a very good documentary summarizing the geopolitical side of the collapse on the Wayback history channel.

[pawelp]

My grandfather was heavily wounded in autumn 1916 in the mountains of southern Serbia, almost loosing his hand, he was a Polish conscript from Galicja fighting for Austrian empire...

[demonprinces]

Didn't expect to be against 3 counties, the length, the cost in both money and casualties.

[jangrosek]

I am always interested in the history of Austria Hungary because some of my ancestors served in the Austro-Hungarian army during WWI. My great-grandfather fought as a private on the Eastern Front and was captured by Russia between 1915-1916 and returned home in the early 1920s. His older brother was a non-commissioned officer and first fought in the Balkans against the Serbian army, then on the Adriatic coast against the Italians. But the most interesting is the fact of his participation in the Sarajevo events. His unit participated in military maneuvers that Franz Ferdinand was supposed to visit and was in the city at the time of his assassination. After the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, his unit took part in stopping the anti-Serb pogroms. He said that they did not immediately find out about his murder, but they sensed something was wrong when the command began to give them orders typical of military situations.

[davidraper]

Again a subject often overlooked, Germany tends to get all the attention but they went to war on behalf of the Dual Monarchy, so what did happen to this empire the dominated central Europe for so long?
A good introduction to the fall of the empire.

[johnvanstone]

Another splendid history exposition Stefan, keep them coming please 🇬🇧✌️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[DRFelGood]

Stephon, Thank you for sharing this nugget of over looked history. I enjoy you’re channel very much. ✌️ 🚒🚒 Jesse 🇺🇸

Another splendid saturday! Weer een heerlijke zaterdag, Stefan👍🏼

[MegaJJ]

Mijnheer, you are pumping out more and more highly interesting stuff people can learn from. Your background as a Historian is clear. Your way of presenting it is so pragmatic, neutral and sympathetic. Awesome work you are doing. Glad I stumbled over your channel. Keep up keeping it up. Best greets from Cologne 😊👊

[mikewest]

Nothing like some family history to start the day!
My dad passed when I was young so you get to teach me what he never could!
Thanks!

[tonnywildweasel]

Learned new facts, gained new insights. Thanks!!
Greets, T.

[commandermodels]

Thanks for the useful video!
Super video, als altijd!

[robertoldach]

2:29 replace Franz Joseph I. with Karl I. Little mistake 🙂

[pliedtka]

With a lot soldiers in the army being say Czechs, Galicians, Serbians, etc, I would say many didn't really want to fight. "Dobry Vojak Švejk (Good soldier Schweik)" by Hasek comes to mind.

[nikkibaugher]

An awesome lecture Professor. This is the story of what happens to an empire which has a weak Emperor...one generation and all is lost.

[mmarkotan]

Thank you very much. Cheers from Slovakia.

[andrewsteele]

Good morning, what a amazing period of history. Thanks for explaining something I had only a briefly read about. Keep bring out the content with the same passion. Cheers

[danielgreen]

Always good viewing and you are guaranteed to learn something new!!