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Introduction

  • John A. DredgerEmail author
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Abstract

Dredger reveals the primary causes of Habsburg defeat both in 1866 and in 1914–1918. The choice of offensive strategy and tactics against an enemy possessing superior weaponry in the Austro-Prussian War and opponents with superior numbers and weapons in the First World War resulted in catastrophes. The inferiority of the Habsburg forces in both wars stemmed from imprudent spending decisions during peacetime rather than conservatism or parliamentary stinginess. The desire to restore the sunken prestige of Austria-Hungary and to prove great power status drove the military to waste money on an expensive fleet and to choose offensive tactics as the means to win great victories. Dredger describes civil–military interactions with regard to funding and procurement decisions as well as the deep intellectual debates within the army, which refute the idea that the Habsburg military remained opposed to technology or progress.

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Copyright information

© The Author(s) 2017

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Assumption AcademyWaltonUSA

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