The reconstruction of South-Eastern Europe

SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

Smarting under the heavy and humiliating blow received from the hand of Prussia in 1866, the first thought of the Hapsburg dynasty was revenge against Prussia and the regaining of its lost status in Germany. With this object in view the reconciliation of the Magyars was effected and the long-desired constitution was granted to the nations in the Austrian part of the Dual Monarchy. By the Dual Settlement, the unity of the empire was undermined by over-generosity towards the Magyars in a fit of feverish impatience on the part of the Emperor and his premier Beust who embodied the policy of revenge. ‘“* Francis Joseph may indeed have accepted the Hungarian terms with a mental reservation, that, when Prussia should have been overthrown the inner constitution of the monarchy would once more be subject to revision. But Bismarck, whose military triumph over Austria enabled the Magyars to make so good a bargain, came once more to their aid. The Alliance which Beust endeavoured to form in 1869 with France and Italy against Prussia, was thwarted by the attitude of Russia, whose goodwill Bismarck had assiduously cultivated; and before other schemes could be laid, the German victories over France in 1870-71 saved the Dual Settlement by relegating the Austrian policy of revenge for Sadowa to the limbo of hopes unfulfilled.” }

1 H. W. Steed, The Hapsburg Monarchy, pp. 16, 17. 89