My basic feeling is, that by the time Franz Josef came along, the empire was already an outdated antique, and though the Emperor was a decent fellow, he was completely unable to govern his empire the way it needed to be governed at the turn of the 20th century. FJ had a firm, almost mystical belief in the powers of autocracy (much like the Tsars) and he was simply overwhelmed by the forces of nationalism and unrest that developed. I personally believe most of his subjects liked and admired him greatly, more than they actually did his Empress, Sissi. I think the Hapsburg Empire had by most means outlived its usefulness, and that was what contributed to its downfall. Just my opinion. :flower:
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