Vienna
Founded around 500 BC, Vienna was originally a Celtic settlement. In 15 BC, Vienna became a Roman frontier city (Vindobona) guarding the Roman Empire against Germanic tribes to the north. Vienna came under threat from the Mongolian Empire that stretched over much of present day Russia and China in the 1200s. However, due to the death of its leader Ogedei Khan, the Mongolian armies receded from the European frontier and were not to return. During the Middle Ages, Vienna was home to the Babenberg Dynasty and in 1440 AD became residence city of the Habsburg dynasties from where Vienna eventually grew to become the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a cultural centre for arts and science, music and fine cuisine. In the 16th and 17th centuries, the Ottoman armies were stopped twice outside Vienna (see Siege of Vienna, 1529 and Battle of Vienna, 1683). In 1804, Vienna became capital of the Austrian Empire and continued to play a major role in European and World politics, including hosting the 1814 Congress of Vienna. After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867 Vienna remained the capital of what was then the Austro-Hungarian Empire. During the latter half of the 19th century the city developed what had previously been the bastions and glacis into the Ringstraße, a major prestige project. Former suburbs were incorporated, and the city of Vienna grew dramatically.
In 1945, the Vienna Offensive was successfully launched by the Soviets against the Germans holding Vienna. The city was besieged for about two weeks before it fell to the Soviets. After 1945, Vienna again became the capital of Austria. It was initially divided into zones by the 4 Powers, and was governed by the Allied Commission for Austria. The four power occupation of Vienna differed in some respects from the four power occupation of Berlin. The central area of Vienna had an international zone in which the four powers alternated on a monthly basis. When the Berlin blockade happened in 1948, Vienna was even more vulnerable because there was no airport in the western sectors. However, despite fears, the Soviets did not blockade Vienna. Some have argued that this was because the Potsdam agreement gave written rights of land access to the western sectors, whereas no such written guarantees had been given regarding Berlin. The reason will however always remain a matter of speculation. During the 10 years of foreign occupation Vienna became a hot-bed for international espionage between the Western and Eastern blocs. The atmosphere of four power Vienna is captured in the Graham Greene novel and movie The Third Man.
Read MoreIn 1945, the Vienna Offensive was successfully launched by the Soviets against the Germans holding Vienna. The city was besieged for about two weeks before it fell to the Soviets. After 1945, Vienna again became the capital of Austria. It was initially divided into zones by the 4 Powers, and was governed by the Allied Commission for Austria. The four power occupation of Vienna differed in some respects from the four power occupation of Berlin. The central area of Vienna had an international zone in which the four powers alternated on a monthly basis. When the Berlin blockade happened in 1948, Vienna was even more vulnerable because there was no airport in the western sectors. However, despite fears, the Soviets did not blockade Vienna. Some have argued that this was because the Potsdam agreement gave written rights of land access to the western sectors, whereas no such written guarantees had been given regarding Berlin. The reason will however always remain a matter of speculation. During the 10 years of foreign occupation Vienna became a hot-bed for international espionage between the Western and Eastern blocs. The atmosphere of four power Vienna is captured in the Graham Greene novel and movie The Third Man.
