Franz Karl
Franz Karl was the son of Leopold of the Habsburg Confederation. During the The Great War, he served as an Austrian officer against Serbia and Russia. In 1930, Franz Karl himself became emperor. He inherited the Confederation after many of the regions declared their own independence. Franz Karl attempted to reintegrate the regions peacefully and without war, but was ultimately unsuccessful.
Eventually, the various regions joined larger powers. East Galicia was initially offered to Russia, but was ultimately granted independence. Trento and Trieste joined Italy. Carniola, Croatia, and Vojvodino united with Serbia and Montenegro to form Yugoslavia. Bohemia and Slovakia united to form Czechoslovakia. Hungary and Romania argued over the territories of Transylvania and Szeklerland until arbitration decided the two regions would be an independent Transylvania. West Galicia became an independent Poland. German Moravia and German Bohemia joined the German Empire.
Despite his apprehension, Franz Karl reluctantly gave into pressure and accepted the lesser title of King of Austria. In 1932, Franz Karl negotiated Austria's entry into the German Empire. This was welcomed by King Ludwig II of Bavaria as an increased balance to Prussian dominance in Germany.
Franz Karl was vocal in his opposition to rising tensions between Germany and Russia. He was ultimately outvoted in the German Parliament and among the kings in Germany as a whole. During the Russo-German War, however, Franz Karl committed to solidarity with the rest of the German Empire, and sent forces to the front. Despite this, he was critical of the reemergence of Ukraine and King Vasyl I.
Social
Reign
Family Ties
Comments