List of foreign ministers of Austria-Hungary facts for kids
This article lists the people who served as foreign ministers (or "Außenminister" in German) for the Habsburg monarchy, the Austrian Empire, and Austria-Hungary until 1918. These important officials were in charge of how their country dealt with other nations. They handled treaties, alliances, and diplomatic relations.
Contents
Foreign Ministers of the Habsburg Monarchy (1720–1805)
The Habsburg monarchy was a powerful group of lands ruled by the Habsburg family. Before 1720, foreign policy was handled by a special committee called the Privy Conference. This group advised the Emperor.
In 1720, Emperor Charles VI made a big change. He put Philipp Ludwig Wenzel von Sinzendorf in charge of all foreign policy. After Sinzendorf passed away in 1742, Empress Maria Theresa made the foreign affairs office completely separate from the domestic government. This made the role of foreign minister even more important.
Here are the foreign ministers during this period:
| Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Started work | Left work | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Philipp Ludwig von Sinzendorf (1671–1742) |
26 March 1720 | 8 February 1742 † | 21 years, 317 days |
 |
Anton Corfiz Ulfeldt (1699–1769) |
14 February 1742 | 13 May 1753 | 11 years, 88 days |
 |
Wenzel Kaunitz (1711–1794) |
13 May 1753 | 19 August 1792 | 39 years, 98 days |
 |
Philipp von Cobenzl (1741–1810) |
19 August 1792 | 27 March 1793 | 220 days |
 |
Johann Thugut (1736–1818) |
27 March 1793 | 28 September 1800 | 7 years, 185 days |
 |
Ferdinand von Trauttmansdorff (1749–1827) |
28 September 1800 | 18 September 1801 | 355 days |
 |
Ludwig von Cobenzl (1753–1809) |
18 September 1801 | 25 December 1805 | 4 years, 98 days |
Foreign Ministers of the Austrian Empire (1805–1867)
The Austrian Empire was formed in 1804. It was a large and diverse country in Central Europe. Its foreign ministers played a key role in European politics, especially during times of war and peace.
One of the most famous foreign ministers from this time was Klemens von Metternich. He served for many years and was very influential in shaping Europe after the Napoleonic Wars.
Here are the foreign ministers during the Austrian Empire:
| Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Started work | Left work | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Philipp Stadion (1763–1824) |
25 December 1805 | 4 October 1809 | 3 years, 283 days |
 |
Klemens von Metternich (1773–1859) |
8 October 1809 | 13 March 1848 | 38 years, 157 days |
 |
Karl Ficquelmont (1777–1857) |
18 March 1848 | 4 May 1848 | 47 days |
 |
Johann Wessenberg (1773–1858) |
8 May 1848 | 21 November 1848 | 197 days |
 |
Felix Schwarzenberg (1800–1852) |
21 November 1848 | 5 April 1852 † | 4 years, 135 days |
 |
Karl Buol (1797–1865) |
11 April 1852 | 17 May 1859 | 7 years, 36 days |
 |
Bernhard Rechberg (1806–1899) |
17 May 1859 | 27 October 1864 | 5 years, 163 days |
 |
Alexander Mensdorff (1813–1871) |
27 October 1864 | 30 October 1866 | 2 years, 3 days |
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Ferdinand Beust (1809–1886) |
30 October 1866 | 30 December 1867 | 1 year, 61 days |
Foreign Ministers of Austria-Hungary (1867–1918)
In 1867, the Austrian Empire became Austria-Hungary. This was a "dual monarchy," meaning it was two separate states (Austria and Hungary) under one ruler. The foreign minister for Austria-Hungary handled the shared foreign policy for both parts of the empire.
This period saw many changes in Europe, leading up to World War I. The foreign ministers faced big challenges in keeping peace and protecting the empire's interests.
Here are the foreign ministers during the time of Austria-Hungary:
| Portrait | Name (Born–Died) |
Started work | Left work | Time in office |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Ferdinand Beust (1809–1886) |
30 December 1867 | 8 November 1871 | 3 years, 313 days |
 |
Gyula Andrássy (1823–1890) |
14 November 1871 | 8 October 1879 | 7 years, 328 days |
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Heinrich Haymerle (1828–1881) |
8 October 1879 | 10 October 1881 † | 2 years, 2 days |
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Gustav Kálnoky (1832–1898) |
20 November 1881 | 2 May 1895 | 13 years, 163 days |
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Agenor Gołuchowski (1849–1921) |
16 May 1895 | 24 October 1906 | 11 years, 161 days |
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Alois Aehrenthal (1854–1912) |
24 October 1906 | 17 February 1912 † | 5 years, 116 days |
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Leopold Berchtold (1863–1942) |
17 February 1912 | 13 January 1915 | 2 years, 330 days |
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Stephan Burián (1851–1922) |
13 January 1915 | 22 December 1916 | 1 year, 344 days |
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Ottokar Czernin (1872–1932) |
22 December 1916 | 16 April 1918 | 1 year, 115 days |
|
Stephan Burián (1851–1922) |
16 April 1918 | 24 October 1918 | 191 days |
 |
Gyula Andrássy (1860–1929) |
24 October 1918 | 2 November 1918 | 9 days |
See also
- Foreign Ministry of Austria-Hungary
- Austro-Hungarian Foreign Service
- List of diplomatic missions of Austria-Hungary
