Liberalism and the Habsburg Monarchy, 1861-1895

Often the liberal movement has been viewed through the lens of its later German nationalism. This presents only one facet of a wide-ranging, all-encompassing project to regenerate the Habsburg Monarchy. By analysing its various nuances, this volume provides a new, more positive interpretation of Austro-German liberalism.

Often the liberal movement has been viewed through the lens of its later German nationalism. This presents only one facet of a wide-ranging, all-encompassing project to regenerate the Habsburg Monarchy. By analysing its various nuances, this volume provides a new, more positive interpretation of Austro-German liberalism.
In the 1860s the liberals fought for their core concepts of liberal principles, Austrian state patriotism and German nationalism. Their convictions and actions put in place the framework for modern politics in the Habsburg Monarchy - the constitution, parliaments, and a free press. Only gradually over time did German nationalism begin to dominate within the movement. By tracing the interaction of the core concepts and placing the movement within its historical context, Jonathan Kwan presents a balanced assessment of an oft-neglected, much criticized but highly significant political movement.