The seminar examines the history of the Habsburg Monarchy in the long 19th century– from the enlightened reforms of Joseph II. to the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. In doing so, special attention is given to political, social and cultural developments.

Instead of studying the Habsburg Empire in the long 19th century as a textbook example of state failure and empire collapse, the purpose of the recitation is to highlight the monarchy’s intriguing attempts to face and solve the diverse challenges of a multinational society.