History of Vienna
May we take you back in time for a moment, leaving present-day Vienna and
going back to Habsburg times, starting at around 1800 with the spreading of
the Napoleonic Wars to Austria imminent.
(note: for the "older" history refer to here)
Napoleonic Wars
Vienna
was twice seized by Napoleon, first in 1805 without a battle and then in
1809 after a fierce bombardement. Shortly after that, the Austrians won the
battle of Aspern, but lost at Wagram soon after. After Napoleon's final
defeat at Leipzig, the Congress of Vienna (Sep 1814 till Jun 1815) restored
the balance of power in Europe.
Revolution 1848
Ignited by the French February Revolution, the Austrian citizens pushed for
political power in the March Revolution, which forced the hardline
chancellor Metternich to resign, The following October Revolution in Vienna
was crushed by the Emperors armies. Following these events, the Arsenal was
erected as defensive barracks against possible uprisings.
Metropolis Vienna
Shortly after the revolution, the now obsolete fortifications were demolished and in their place the Ringstraße boulevard featuring a number of monumental buildings was constructed. The Danube river was regulated and the Donaukanal was formed. By the turn of the century, the population - consisting of many new immigrants from all parts of the monarchy as well - surpassed 2 millions (being the 4th biggest city worldwide at that time!).
World War I
The
assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian
throne, sparked off war in 1914 mainly between the Entente Powers France, UK
and Russia versus Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire. Finally
1918 the defeat in the war was also the end of the Austro-Hungarian
monarchy, which dissolved into many parts. ]
First Republic
After the war, the Republik Österreich was proclaimed, consisting of the
German-speaking remains of what formerly was the Austro-Hungarian empire.
The difficult economic situation led to political polarisation, which
finally led to civil war in 1934. Shortly after an authoritarian regime (Ständestaat)
was created and prevailed without parliamentary approval for the next years.
World War II
With
the invasion of the German army and annexation ("Anschluß") by Nazi Germany
the state of Austria ceased to exist in March 1938. At first not directly
affected by the war started in 1939, the city began being bombed by Allied
aircraft from 1943 on, which led to the construction of large flak towers
(which are still existing). These bombings and the fights prior to the
Soviet conquest in 1945 caused heavy destruction within the city.
Allied occupation
Vienna was divided into occupation zones by the Soviet Union, the USA, the
UK and France in 1945. The first free elections were held and reconstruction
of the city began. Economy picked up due to the Marshal plan. Finally the
country was given full sovereignty with the Staatsvertrag in May 1955.
Second Republic
From
then on, prosperous times started for the city. Just a few highlights:
during the 1970s, Vienna became seat of the United Nations, in the 1980s the
first metro was inaugurated, the Donauinsel was built as part of an
effective flood protection system serving as well as recreation area.
text taken from vienna4u.at
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