Count Karl Sigmund von Hohenwart
Encyclopedia
Count Karl Sigmund von Hohenwart (February 12, 1824, Vienna
– April 26, 1899) was an Austrian politician who served as Minister-President of Austria
in 1871. Hohenwart’s government attempted to implement a Federalist agreement between Bohemia
and the governing Austro-Hungarian Empire. This attempt to conciliate the Bohemian Czechs caused massive criticism, and led to the fall of the Hohenwart government only months after it assumed office.
and Trentino. In 1868, Hohenwart became the Governor of Upper Austria
. Hohenwart was the leader of the Conservative Federalists political faction in Austria
. His political beliefs revolved around the view that Federalism and conciliation of Slavs was the only way to preserve the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hohenwart believed that Federalism was only possible with equality between the nationalities of the Empire. Furthermore, Hohenwart believed in dealing only with leading nobles and other members at the top of the social order. Hohenwart distrusted social change.
in the Franco-Prussian War
(1870) caused a shift in the politics of Austria. Emperor Francis Joseph turned against the Liberals who held the Premiership at the time because they were too enthusiastic for Prussia and its victory. Instead, Emperor Joseph turned to Conservatives willing to conciliate with Slavs. Hohenwart, as leader of the Conservative Federalists, was chosen in order to placate the Slavs with a new federalist system. Also, Emperor Francis Joseph saw Federalism as a way to undercut the Austro-German Liberals.
The leading member of Hohenwart’s cabinet was Albert Schäffle
, the minister of commerce. Schäffle is considered to be the true leader of the Hohenwart Ministry’s Federalization attempt. Some historians consider Hohenwart as a mere figurehead. Hohenwart also appointed two Czech ministers and one Pole. The Pole held the position of special minister of Galicia. This position was a concession to the Poles
and one of the first conciliatory moves towards the Slavs made by Hohenwart.
and provincial diets. Hohenwart then called for the election of new diets. Hohenwart dissolved the diets because he had enough influence on big Estate owners to secure the election of federalist Conservatives. Also, the Hohenwart ministry enfranchised districts which would elect federalist Conservatives. With the dissolving of Parliament and the solidifying of political support, the stage was set for the development of a Federalist agreement.
nobles. The negotiations resulted in the “Fundamental Articles
” and the “Nationality Laws.”
The “Fundamental Articles” introduced a new federalist constitutional system for Bohemia
. First, the “Fundamental Articles” accepted the Compromise of 1867. Second, the “Fundamental Articles” created a Bohemian
diet that sent representatives to the Austrian Parliament. The Austrian Parliament would be made up of representatives from several crownland diets. The functions of the Austrian Parliament would include commercial, military, and foreign relations. Third, the Austrian Herrenhaus
(House of Lords) was to be replaced with an Austrian Senate that handled: treaties, jurisdictional conflicts, and constitutional revisions. Most important, the Bohemian Diet would have authority over all other local issues.
The “Nationality Laws” came as corollaries to the “Fundamental Articles.” They created administrative areas which would be nationally homogenous. Furthermore, the Czech and German languages would become the official languages for all functions pertaining to all of Bohemia
.
In September 1871 the Bohemian Diet reconvened. Czech deputies now outnumbered German deputies. As a result, the German deputies all left the Bohemian Diet. On September 12, Emperor Francis Joseph issues an Imperial Rescript
asking the Bohemian Diet to “draft a constitutional charter.” The Bohemian Diet than unanimously accepted the “Fundamental Articles” and “Nationality Laws." Once the Emperor accepted these laws, he was to be crowned King of Bohemia.
and Magyars led by Andrassy would sink the federalist agreements and the Hohenwart government.
When the “Fundamental Articles” and “Nationality Laws” were publicly announced they infuriated the public. Germans in Bohemia protested vociferously. In addition, Austo-German liberals were strongly against it. Germans in Vienna rioted in protest over the proposals. There was criticism among the Slavs in Bohemia too. Some Czechs saw the “Nationality Laws” as a precursor to a division of Bohemia into German and Czech parts. Czech nationalist wanted to maintain all of Bohemia under a Bohemian crown. In addition, the Moravia
n and Silesia
n Diets opposed the concept of being subsumed into an enlarged Bohemian General Diet.
The strongest criticisms came from Foreign Minister Beust
and Magyar leader Julius Andrassy. Both of these men were political opponents of Hohenwart and critics of Federalism. Beust told Emperor Francis Joseph that Federalism would incite German opposition in Austria and might even lead to Prussian intervention. Andrassy
voiced concerns over the technicalities of the proposals and told the Emperor that Federalism would affect the finances and organization of the Empire. In reality, Andrassy
feared that Bohemian autonomy would adversely affect Hungary
’s position within the Empire. Also, Andrassy
feared that the Federalization of Austria would cause minority groups within Hungary to demand similar arrangements.
and Andrassy
convinced Emperor Francis Joseph to side against the Hohenwart proposals. On October 20th, the Emperor issued a new Imperial Rescript
which rescinded the September 12th Rescript that sided with Federalization. Hohenwart attempted to reach a new deal with the Czechs that called for autonomy for lesser Bohemia. The Czechs rejected the deal and Hohenwart and his government resigned on October 27th.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
– April 26, 1899) was an Austrian politician who served as Minister-President of Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
in 1871. Hohenwart’s government attempted to implement a Federalist agreement between Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
and the governing Austro-Hungarian Empire. This attempt to conciliate the Bohemian Czechs caused massive criticism, and led to the fall of the Hohenwart government only months after it assumed office.
Hohenwart's political posts and views
Karl Hohenwart was a German aristocrat and devout Roman Catholic. He held administrative posts in CarniolaCarniola
Carniola was a historical region that comprised parts of what is now Slovenia. As part of Austria-Hungary, the region was a crown land officially known as the Duchy of Carniola until 1918. In 1849, the region was subdivided into Upper Carniola, Lower Carniola, and Inner Carniola...
and Trentino. In 1868, Hohenwart became the Governor of Upper Austria
Upper Austria
Upper Austria is one of the nine states or Bundesländer of Austria. Its capital is Linz. Upper Austria borders on Germany and the Czech Republic, as well as on the other Austrian states of Lower Austria, Styria, and Salzburg...
. Hohenwart was the leader of the Conservative Federalists political faction in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. His political beliefs revolved around the view that Federalism and conciliation of Slavs was the only way to preserve the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Hohenwart believed that Federalism was only possible with equality between the nationalities of the Empire. Furthermore, Hohenwart believed in dealing only with leading nobles and other members at the top of the social order. Hohenwart distrusted social change.
Hohenwart's ascent to power
The victory of PrussiaPrussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
in the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
(1870) caused a shift in the politics of Austria. Emperor Francis Joseph turned against the Liberals who held the Premiership at the time because they were too enthusiastic for Prussia and its victory. Instead, Emperor Joseph turned to Conservatives willing to conciliate with Slavs. Hohenwart, as leader of the Conservative Federalists, was chosen in order to placate the Slavs with a new federalist system. Also, Emperor Francis Joseph saw Federalism as a way to undercut the Austro-German Liberals.
Hohenwart's cabinet
Emperor Francis Joseph appointed Hohenwart to the Premiership of Austria on February 7, 1871. The Hohenwart Ministry described itself in public statements as a “non-party.” Also, the Hohenwart Ministry stated that its mission was to reconcile the people of Austria along federal lines.The leading member of Hohenwart’s cabinet was Albert Schäffle
Albert Schäffle
Albert Eberhard Friedrich Schäffle , German statesman and political economist, was born at Nürtingen in Württemberg, and in 1848 became a student at the University of Tübingen....
, the minister of commerce. Schäffle is considered to be the true leader of the Hohenwart Ministry’s Federalization attempt. Some historians consider Hohenwart as a mere figurehead. Hohenwart also appointed two Czech ministers and one Pole. The Pole held the position of special minister of Galicia. This position was a concession to the Poles
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
and one of the first conciliatory moves towards the Slavs made by Hohenwart.
Early moves of the Hohenwart ministry
One of the first successes of the Hohenwart ministry was the passing of the Budget Law of 1871. After this, Hohenwart dissolved the Parliament in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
and provincial diets. Hohenwart then called for the election of new diets. Hohenwart dissolved the diets because he had enough influence on big Estate owners to secure the election of federalist Conservatives. Also, the Hohenwart ministry enfranchised districts which would elect federalist Conservatives. With the dissolving of Parliament and the solidifying of political support, the stage was set for the development of a Federalist agreement.
Federalist agreement with Bohemia
After dissolving the diets, the Hohenwart ministry went to work on negotiating an agreement with Bohemian leaders. Schläffe, the Commerce Minister, took the lead in negotiation. He secretly negotiated an agreement with leading CzechCzech people
Czechs, or Czech people are a western Slavic people of Central Europe, living predominantly in the Czech Republic. Small populations of Czechs also live in Slovakia, Austria, the United States, the United Kingdom, Chile, Argentina, Canada, Germany, Russia and other countries...
nobles. The negotiations resulted in the “Fundamental Articles
Fundamental Articles of 1871
The Fundamental Articles of 1871 were a set of proposed changes to the Austro-Hungarian constitution regarding the status of the Bohemian Crownlands...
” and the “Nationality Laws.”
The “Fundamental Articles” introduced a new federalist constitutional system for Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
. First, the “Fundamental Articles” accepted the Compromise of 1867. Second, the “Fundamental Articles” created a Bohemian
Bohemian
A Bohemian is a resident of the former Kingdom of Bohemia, either in a narrow sense as the region of Bohemia proper or in a wider meaning as the whole country, now known as the Czech Republic. The word "Bohemian" was used to denote the Czech people as well as the Czech language before the word...
diet that sent representatives to the Austrian Parliament. The Austrian Parliament would be made up of representatives from several crownland diets. The functions of the Austrian Parliament would include commercial, military, and foreign relations. Third, the Austrian Herrenhaus
Herrenhaus
The German term Herrenhaus is equivalent to the English House of Lords and describes roughly similar institutions as the English House of Lords in German-speaking countries.More specifically, Herrenhaus, can refer to either of the following:...
(House of Lords) was to be replaced with an Austrian Senate that handled: treaties, jurisdictional conflicts, and constitutional revisions. Most important, the Bohemian Diet would have authority over all other local issues.
The “Nationality Laws” came as corollaries to the “Fundamental Articles.” They created administrative areas which would be nationally homogenous. Furthermore, the Czech and German languages would become the official languages for all functions pertaining to all of Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
.
In September 1871 the Bohemian Diet reconvened. Czech deputies now outnumbered German deputies. As a result, the German deputies all left the Bohemian Diet. On September 12, Emperor Francis Joseph issues an Imperial Rescript
Rescript
A rescript is a document that is issued not on the initiative of the author, but in response to a specific demand made by its addressee...
asking the Bohemian Diet to “draft a constitutional charter.” The Bohemian Diet than unanimously accepted the “Fundamental Articles” and “Nationality Laws." Once the Emperor accepted these laws, he was to be crowned King of Bohemia.
Criticism of the Federalist Agreement
The Hohenwart agreements with the Bohemians sparked massive criticisms. Ultimately, German Liberals led by Count BeustFriedrich Ferdinand Graf Beust
Count Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust was a German and Austrian statesman.- Birth and education :He was born in Dresden, where his father held office in the Saxon court. He was descended from a noble family which had originally sprung from the Mark of Brandenburg, and of which one branch had been...
and Magyars led by Andrassy would sink the federalist agreements and the Hohenwart government.
When the “Fundamental Articles” and “Nationality Laws” were publicly announced they infuriated the public. Germans in Bohemia protested vociferously. In addition, Austo-German liberals were strongly against it. Germans in Vienna rioted in protest over the proposals. There was criticism among the Slavs in Bohemia too. Some Czechs saw the “Nationality Laws” as a precursor to a division of Bohemia into German and Czech parts. Czech nationalist wanted to maintain all of Bohemia under a Bohemian crown. In addition, the Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
n and Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
n Diets opposed the concept of being subsumed into an enlarged Bohemian General Diet.
The strongest criticisms came from Foreign Minister Beust
Friedrich Ferdinand Graf Beust
Count Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust was a German and Austrian statesman.- Birth and education :He was born in Dresden, where his father held office in the Saxon court. He was descended from a noble family which had originally sprung from the Mark of Brandenburg, and of which one branch had been...
and Magyar leader Julius Andrassy. Both of these men were political opponents of Hohenwart and critics of Federalism. Beust told Emperor Francis Joseph that Federalism would incite German opposition in Austria and might even lead to Prussian intervention. Andrassy
Andrássy
Andrássy is the name of an aristocratic family of very ancient lineage prominent in Hungarian history.The full family name is "Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka"; "Csíkszentkirály" is a town in modern-day Romania now called Sâncrăieni, while Krásna Hôrka is a castle in Slovakia.The...
voiced concerns over the technicalities of the proposals and told the Emperor that Federalism would affect the finances and organization of the Empire. In reality, Andrassy
Andrássy
Andrássy is the name of an aristocratic family of very ancient lineage prominent in Hungarian history.The full family name is "Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka"; "Csíkszentkirály" is a town in modern-day Romania now called Sâncrăieni, while Krásna Hôrka is a castle in Slovakia.The...
feared that Bohemian autonomy would adversely affect Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
’s position within the Empire. Also, Andrassy
Andrássy
Andrássy is the name of an aristocratic family of very ancient lineage prominent in Hungarian history.The full family name is "Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka"; "Csíkszentkirály" is a town in modern-day Romania now called Sâncrăieni, while Krásna Hôrka is a castle in Slovakia.The...
feared that the Federalization of Austria would cause minority groups within Hungary to demand similar arrangements.
The fall of the Hohenwart ministry
The public outcry and the political machinations of BeustFriedrich Ferdinand Graf Beust
Count Friedrich Ferdinand von Beust was a German and Austrian statesman.- Birth and education :He was born in Dresden, where his father held office in the Saxon court. He was descended from a noble family which had originally sprung from the Mark of Brandenburg, and of which one branch had been...
and Andrassy
Andrássy
Andrássy is the name of an aristocratic family of very ancient lineage prominent in Hungarian history.The full family name is "Andrássy de Csíkszentkirály et Krasznahorka"; "Csíkszentkirály" is a town in modern-day Romania now called Sâncrăieni, while Krásna Hôrka is a castle in Slovakia.The...
convinced Emperor Francis Joseph to side against the Hohenwart proposals. On October 20th, the Emperor issued a new Imperial Rescript
Imperial Rescript
An Imperial Rescript is a major political edict issued from an imperial authority. In each culture where practiced there are specific traditions, normally associated with the written form the statement takes .Examples:...
which rescinded the September 12th Rescript that sided with Federalization. Hohenwart attempted to reach a new deal with the Czechs that called for autonomy for lesser Bohemia. The Czechs rejected the deal and Hohenwart and his government resigned on October 27th.