Leopold Graf Berchtold
Encyclopedia
Leopold Graf Berchtold von und zu Ungarschitz, Frättling und Püllütz (18 April 1863 – 21 November 1942), was an Austro-Hungarian
politician, diplomat and statesman who served as Imperial Foreign Minister at the outbreak of World War I
.
on 18 April 1863 into a wealthy noble family that owned lands in Moravia
and Hungary
, he was reputed to be one of Austria-Hungary
's richest men. Tutored at home, he later studied law and joined the Austro-Hungarian foreign service
in 1893. In the same year, he married Ferdinandine (Nandine) Gräfin Károlyi von Nagykároly (1868–1955), the daughter of one of the richest aristocrats in Hungary, in Budapest. He subsequently served at the embassies in Paris
(1894), London
(1899) and St. Petersburg (1903).
In December 1906, Count Berchtold was appointed as the successor of Count Lexa von Aehrenthal as Ambassador to Russia upon the latter's appointment as Imperial Foreign Minister. He served with distinction for five years in St. Petersburg and experienced Russia's distrust and fear of Vienna. In September 1908, he hosted a secret meeting between Count Lexa von Aehrenthal and the Russian Foreign Minister Izvolsky at his estate at Buchlovice
in Moravia. This meeting produced the so-called Buchlau bargain and led to the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
.
At the death of Count Lexa von Aehrenthal in February 1912, Count Berchtold was appointed as his successor and thus became at the age of forty-nine the youngest foreign minister in Europe. His appointment came against his own will and despite lack of experience in domestic affairs as well as in military matters.
in 1912/1913, however, quickly made such a policy illusory.
At the outset of the Balkan Wars, Count Berchtold pursued a hard-line policy and flirted with the idea of war against Serbia, but vacillated and pulled back from intervention at the last moment. Although he managed to prevent Serbia from securing an outlet to the Adriatic Sea with the creation of Albania
, the Balkan Wars resulted in a failure to contain the rising Russian influence in the Balkans and thwart Serbian ambitions for a South Slav state. It meant diplomatic defeat for Austria-Hungary and also a reputation of being weak and indecisive for Count Berchtold.
Count Berchtold's focus on Serbia was grown out of a fear of Serbian territorial expansion in the Balkans and also a complication of matters within the multinational Dual Monarchy and eventually result in the dissolution of the empire itself.
at Sarajevo
on 28 June 1914 was therefore a culmination of the heightened tension between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. If Count Berchtold had been accused of indecisiveness and diffidence during the Balkan Wars, he gave proof of more resolve during the July Crisis. Pushed by the so-called Young Rebels at the Ballhausplatz
led by Count Hoyos, his chef de cabinet
, Count Berchtold seized the opportunity to launch punitive action against Serbia and deal the country a mortal blow.
After having dispatched Count Hoyos on a mission to Berlin on 5 July to secure German support for Austria-Hungary's future actions, which resulted in the famous blank check, he became the leading spokesman, together with the Chief of the General Staff General Conrad von Hötzendorf, for war against Serbia during the meeting of the imperial Crown Council on 7 July. Through the moderating influence of the Hungarian Minister-President Count Tisza
, who had reservations on the use of force against Serbia, it was decided to present Serbia with an ultimatum. The ultimatum that amounted to a humiliation for Serbia was presented to Emperor Franz Joseph on 21 July and transmitted to Belgrade on 23 July. Nonetheless, Serbia conditionally accepted all points of the ultimatum but the one that permitted Austro-Hungarian authorities to participate in the investigation of the assassination on Serbian territory. That refusal, however, proved sufficient for the Austro-Hungarian government to declare war against Serbia on 28 July. Count Berchtold persuaded the Emperor to sign the declaration of war by telling him Serbian troops had attacked first, which was a lie.
Once the war had started, Count Berchtold focused his efforts on the question of Italy’s participation in the war that would lead to his downfall. The main problem was Italy’s demands for territorial compensation from Austria-Hungary in return for remaining in the Triple Alliance
. When Rome presented the Ballhausplatz with demands for control over territories in southern Austria-Hungary, Berchtold demurred and refused to offer any Habsburg concessions, especially not in the Trentino.
However, Italian Foreign Minister Baron Sonnino
succeeded in obtaining vague promises of compensations in South Tyrol from Germany and by the end of 1914, Count Berchtold informed the Crown Council that the choice was either acceptance of the Italian demands or a declaration of war. Both Count Tisza and General Conrad von Hötzendorf expressed a preference for the latter. Under mounting German pressure, Count Berchtold, however, indicated that he was ready to cede the Trentino and parts of the Albanian coastline. When he informed Count Tisza and General Conrad von Hötzendorf of the concessions he was ready to give, they forced him to resign on 13 January 1915. At Count Tisza’s insistence he was replaced by the more pugnacious Count Burián.
Count Berchtold played no further public role during the war although he was appointed Lord High Steward to Archduke Karl, the heir apparent, in March 1916 and became Lord Chamberlain following the latter's accession to the throne in November.
Count Berchtold had been invested as a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1912 and bestowed with the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Stephen
in 1914.
After the war, he retired as a grand seigneur on his estate at Peresznye
near Csepreg
in Hungary, where he died on 21 November 1942. He was buried in the family tomb at Buchlau
.
Many historians have regarded him as indecisive and diffident. However, during the July Crisis this appears not to have been the case as he "commanded and managed the process" on this occasion. His responsibility for the outbreak of the First World War has been much debated by historians. Without a doubt, he played a leading role in the intransigent formulation in the ultimatum of 23 July, the declaration of war on 28 July and the rebuttal of Grey's mediation proposal on 29 July. Although he believed that only the defeat of Serbia could preserve the Dual Monarchy, he was, however, not personally a warmonger, as can be said of General Conrad von Hötzendorf. At the same time, his lack of self-confidence at the helm of Austro-Hungarian diplomacy made him susceptible for persuasion by his pro-war personal staff at the Ballhausplatz
on whose advice and opinions he was heavily dependent.
Although Count Berchtold may have pushed for war, the main question though is whether he understood that a war against Serbia carried the risk of a major European war. It seems, for example, that a Russian intervention was not taken into much consideration by the Austro-Hungarian leaders during the decision-making process. If he did not apprehend the consequences of his policies sufficiently, he was, however, not alone; as a matter of fact there were few diplomats at the time who actually did.
in the 1969 film Oh! What A Lovely War
.
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
politician, diplomat and statesman who served as Imperial Foreign Minister at the outbreak of World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Career
Born in ViennaVienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
on 18 April 1863 into a wealthy noble family that owned lands in Moravia
Moravia
Moravia is a historical region in Central Europe in the east of the Czech Republic, and one of the former Czech lands, together with Bohemia and Silesia. It takes its name from the Morava River which rises in the northwest of the region...
and Hungary
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
, he was reputed to be one of Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary , more formally known as the Kingdoms and Lands Represented in the Imperial Council and the Lands of the Holy Hungarian Crown of Saint Stephen, was a constitutional monarchic union between the crowns of the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary in...
's richest men. Tutored at home, he later studied law and joined the Austro-Hungarian foreign service
Austro-Hungarian Foreign Service
The Austro-Hungarian Foreign Service was the diplomatic service carrying out the foreign policy of the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from the formation of the Dual Monarchy in 1867 until it was dissolved in 1918.- Diplomatic missions :...
in 1893. In the same year, he married Ferdinandine (Nandine) Gräfin Károlyi von Nagykároly (1868–1955), the daughter of one of the richest aristocrats in Hungary, in Budapest. He subsequently served at the embassies in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
(1894), London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(1899) and St. Petersburg (1903).
In December 1906, Count Berchtold was appointed as the successor of Count Lexa von Aehrenthal as Ambassador to Russia upon the latter's appointment as Imperial Foreign Minister. He served with distinction for five years in St. Petersburg and experienced Russia's distrust and fear of Vienna. In September 1908, he hosted a secret meeting between Count Lexa von Aehrenthal and the Russian Foreign Minister Izvolsky at his estate at Buchlovice
Buchlovice Castle
Buchlovice castle is a castle situated about 10 km to the west of Uherské Hradiště, in south-east Moravia, Czech Republic.Its history is closely connected with nearby Buchlov Castle which grew more and more uncomfortable in the late 17th century, and that is why Jan Dětřich of Petřwald decided...
in Moravia. This meeting produced the so-called Buchlau bargain and led to the annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bosnia and Herzegovina , sometimes called Bosnia-Herzegovina or simply Bosnia, is a country in Southern Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Bordered by Croatia to the north, west and south, Serbia to the east, and Montenegro to the southeast, Bosnia and Herzegovina is almost landlocked, except for the...
.
At the death of Count Lexa von Aehrenthal in February 1912, Count Berchtold was appointed as his successor and thus became at the age of forty-nine the youngest foreign minister in Europe. His appointment came against his own will and despite lack of experience in domestic affairs as well as in military matters.
Balkan Wars
As Imperial Foreign Minister, Count Berchtold focused almost exclusively on the Balkans where his foreign policy aims were to maintain peace, stick to the principle of non-intervention and preserve the territorial status quo. The Balkan WarsBalkan Wars
The Balkan Wars were two conflicts that took place in the Balkans in south-eastern Europe in 1912 and 1913.By the early 20th century, Montenegro, Bulgaria, Greece and Serbia, the countries of the Balkan League, had achieved their independence from the Ottoman Empire, but large parts of their ethnic...
in 1912/1913, however, quickly made such a policy illusory.
At the outset of the Balkan Wars, Count Berchtold pursued a hard-line policy and flirted with the idea of war against Serbia, but vacillated and pulled back from intervention at the last moment. Although he managed to prevent Serbia from securing an outlet to the Adriatic Sea with the creation of Albania
Albania
Albania , officially known as the Republic of Albania , is a country in Southeastern Europe, in the Balkans region. It is bordered by Montenegro to the northwest, Kosovo to the northeast, the Republic of Macedonia to the east and Greece to the south and southeast. It has a coast on the Adriatic Sea...
, the Balkan Wars resulted in a failure to contain the rising Russian influence in the Balkans and thwart Serbian ambitions for a South Slav state. It meant diplomatic defeat for Austria-Hungary and also a reputation of being weak and indecisive for Count Berchtold.
Count Berchtold's focus on Serbia was grown out of a fear of Serbian territorial expansion in the Balkans and also a complication of matters within the multinational Dual Monarchy and eventually result in the dissolution of the empire itself.
July Crisis
Following the Balkan Wars, the assassination of Archduke Franz FerdinandArchduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria
Franz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary's declaration of war against Serbia...
at Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
on 28 June 1914 was therefore a culmination of the heightened tension between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. If Count Berchtold had been accused of indecisiveness and diffidence during the Balkan Wars, he gave proof of more resolve during the July Crisis. Pushed by the so-called Young Rebels at the Ballhausplatz
Ballhausplatz
Ballhausplatz is a square in central Vienna containing the building that for over two hundred years has been the official residence of the most senior Austrian Cabinet Minister, the State Chancellor, today the Chancellor of Austria . As a result, Ballhausplatz is often used as shorthand for the...
led by Count Hoyos, his chef de cabinet
Chef de Cabinet
Chef de Cabinet is the head of an office in the United Nations Secretariat, appointed by the Secretary-General, or in the European Commission, appointed by an individual European Commissioner for his personal cabinet. The position's rank and responsibilities are equivalent to a chief of staff....
, Count Berchtold seized the opportunity to launch punitive action against Serbia and deal the country a mortal blow.
After having dispatched Count Hoyos on a mission to Berlin on 5 July to secure German support for Austria-Hungary's future actions, which resulted in the famous blank check, he became the leading spokesman, together with the Chief of the General Staff General Conrad von Hötzendorf, for war against Serbia during the meeting of the imperial Crown Council on 7 July. Through the moderating influence of the Hungarian Minister-President Count Tisza
István Tisza
Count István Tisza de Borosjenő et Szeged was a Hungarian politician, prime minister, and member of Hungarian Academy of Sciences....
, who had reservations on the use of force against Serbia, it was decided to present Serbia with an ultimatum. The ultimatum that amounted to a humiliation for Serbia was presented to Emperor Franz Joseph on 21 July and transmitted to Belgrade on 23 July. Nonetheless, Serbia conditionally accepted all points of the ultimatum but the one that permitted Austro-Hungarian authorities to participate in the investigation of the assassination on Serbian territory. That refusal, however, proved sufficient for the Austro-Hungarian government to declare war against Serbia on 28 July. Count Berchtold persuaded the Emperor to sign the declaration of war by telling him Serbian troops had attacked first, which was a lie.
World War I
Triple Alliance
Triple Alliance may refer to:* Aztec Triple Alliance - Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan; better known as the Aztec Empire* Triple Alliance - England, France and the Dutch Republic...
. When Rome presented the Ballhausplatz with demands for control over territories in southern Austria-Hungary, Berchtold demurred and refused to offer any Habsburg concessions, especially not in the Trentino.
However, Italian Foreign Minister Baron Sonnino
Sidney Sonnino
Baron Sidney Costantino Sonnino was an Italian politician.Sonnino was born in Pisa to an Italian father of Jewish heritage and a Welsh mother...
succeeded in obtaining vague promises of compensations in South Tyrol from Germany and by the end of 1914, Count Berchtold informed the Crown Council that the choice was either acceptance of the Italian demands or a declaration of war. Both Count Tisza and General Conrad von Hötzendorf expressed a preference for the latter. Under mounting German pressure, Count Berchtold, however, indicated that he was ready to cede the Trentino and parts of the Albanian coastline. When he informed Count Tisza and General Conrad von Hötzendorf of the concessions he was ready to give, they forced him to resign on 13 January 1915. At Count Tisza’s insistence he was replaced by the more pugnacious Count Burián.
Count Berchtold played no further public role during the war although he was appointed Lord High Steward to Archduke Karl, the heir apparent, in March 1916 and became Lord Chamberlain following the latter's accession to the throne in November.
Count Berchtold had been invested as a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece in 1912 and bestowed with the Grand Cross of the Order of Saint Stephen
Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary
The Royal Hungarian Order of Saint StephenThe Order of Saint Stephen of Hungary, the royal Hungarian order, founded in 1764 by the empress Maria Theresa of Austria, consisted of the grand master , 20 knights grand cross, 30 knights commanders and 50 knights...
in 1914.
After the war, he retired as a grand seigneur on his estate at Peresznye
Peresznye
Peresznye is a village in Vas county, Hungary.- External links :*...
near Csepreg
Csepreg
Csepreg is a town in Vas County, Hungary. it is the largest town on the Répce River.Although tourism, particularly camping and fishing, are important sources of income for the town, a plan for the establishment of a metal finishing factory was accepted by the council after the first plan had been...
in Hungary, where he died on 21 November 1942. He was buried in the family tomb at Buchlau
Buchlov
The Buchlov castle is a royal castle that, along with Bare Hill and Saint Barbara’s Chapel, belongs to significant dominants of Chřiby mountains in Moravian Slovakia, which is a region in south-eastern Moravia, Czech Republic.-History:The castle was built approximately in the first part of the...
.
Assessment
Count Berchtold was described at the time as "intelligent and hard-working" and possessive of a "great personal charm" that made him well-liked at court. Indeed, he possessed all the social graces required at the Hofburg and impressed with his aristocratic background which helps explaining his rapid promotion. However, for the post of Imperial Foreign Minister he lacked both strength of character and broad experience. This contributed to quick reversals of policy which resulted in a foreign policy that was often perceived as inconsistent and vacillating.Many historians have regarded him as indecisive and diffident. However, during the July Crisis this appears not to have been the case as he "commanded and managed the process" on this occasion. His responsibility for the outbreak of the First World War has been much debated by historians. Without a doubt, he played a leading role in the intransigent formulation in the ultimatum of 23 July, the declaration of war on 28 July and the rebuttal of Grey's mediation proposal on 29 July. Although he believed that only the defeat of Serbia could preserve the Dual Monarchy, he was, however, not personally a warmonger, as can be said of General Conrad von Hötzendorf. At the same time, his lack of self-confidence at the helm of Austro-Hungarian diplomacy made him susceptible for persuasion by his pro-war personal staff at the Ballhausplatz
Ballhausplatz
Ballhausplatz is a square in central Vienna containing the building that for over two hundred years has been the official residence of the most senior Austrian Cabinet Minister, the State Chancellor, today the Chancellor of Austria . As a result, Ballhausplatz is often used as shorthand for the...
on whose advice and opinions he was heavily dependent.
Although Count Berchtold may have pushed for war, the main question though is whether he understood that a war against Serbia carried the risk of a major European war. It seems, for example, that a Russian intervention was not taken into much consideration by the Austro-Hungarian leaders during the decision-making process. If he did not apprehend the consequences of his policies sufficiently, he was, however, not alone; as a matter of fact there were few diplomats at the time who actually did.
In television
Count Berchtold was portrayed by actor John GielgudJohn Gielgud
Sir Arthur John Gielgud, OM, CH was an English actor, director, and producer. A descendant of the renowned Terry acting family, he achieved early international acclaim for his youthful, emotionally expressive Hamlet which broke box office records on Broadway in 1937...
in the 1969 film Oh! What A Lovely War
Oh! What a Lovely War
Oh! What a Lovely War is a musical film based on the stage musical Oh, What a Lovely War! originated by Charles Chilton as a radio play, The Long Long Trail in December 1961, and transferred to stage by Gerry Raffles in partnership with Joan Littlewood and her Theatre Workshop created in 1963,...
.
External links
- 'Berchtold Leopold Graf', Österreichisches Biographisches Lexikon 1815-1950
- 'Berchtold, Leopold Anton Johann Sigismund Joseph Korsinus Ferdinand Graf', Neue Deutsche Biographie
- 'Berchtold, Leopold Graf', AEIOU
- 'Graf Leopold Berchtold von und zu Ungarschütz, Frättling, und Püllütz', Solving Problems Through Force
- 'Count Leopold von Berchtold', firstworldwar.com