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| 2. The Austrian Empire |
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(See June–August) (See 1849, March 7)| |
| 1849–60 |
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| THE BACH SYSTEM, named for its association with the minister of the interior, Alexander Bach. Following the suspension of the constitution of 1849, the empire was ruled from Vienna. The abolition of manorialism (See July 22) required a new central bureaucracy to replace landlords' judicial and police powers. Although the system did not advocate Germanization in principle, it resulted in Germanization in action. Hungary lost its historical identity and was divided into five administrative “governments” controlled by Vienna. Croatia, Transylvania, and southern Hungary became separate provinces. | 1 |
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| 1850s |
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| Economic and social reforms. Customs within Austria-Hungary were eliminated (1850–51). Peasants were freed from obligations, and lords were indemnified for their loss. However, peasants carried responsibility for paying one-third of these indemnities. Indirect taxes were reduced, and a general income tax was introduced. A single silver currency—the guilder—was introduced (1858). | 2 |
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| 1851 |
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| The Reichsrat (council) was formed, with advisory powers, and consisted of six Austrian and two Hungarian dignitaries. | 3 |
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| Dec. 31 |
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| The constitution of 1849 was revoked. | 4 |
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