Question

Note: The following question is for the Visually Impaired Candidates only, in lieu of Question No. 5. Which of the following countries was granted autonomy by the Habsburg rulers in 1867?

• A. England
• B. Italy
• C. Hungary
• D. Russia

Hint:

Remember this important fact from European Nationalism: \[ \boxed{\text{Compromise (Ausgleich), 1867} \Rightarrow \text{Austria-Hungary}} \] Key point:

• Hungary received autonomy under the Habsburg Empire in 1867.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understand the historical background.
The Habsburg Empire was one of the largest multinational empires in Europe. It included many different nationalities such as Germans, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, Croats, Serbs, Romanians and Italians. During the nineteenth century, nationalist movements demanded greater political rights and self-government.

Step 2: The Compromise of 1867.
After military defeats and increasing nationalist pressure, the Habsburg rulers signed the Compromise of 1867 (Ausgleich) with the Hungarian leaders. This agreement transformed the Austrian Empire into the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary. Hungary received internal autonomy while sharing the same monarch with Austria.

Step 3: Significance of the agreement.
The Compromise gave Hungary its own Parliament and considerable control over internal administration. However, matters such as foreign affairs, defence and finance remained under the joint control of Austria and Hungary. This arrangement continued until the First World War.

Step 4: Eliminate the incorrect options.
England was an independent kingdom and was never ruled by the Habsburgs. Italy was struggling for its own unification and independence. Russia was an independent empire ruled by the Romanov dynasty. Therefore, none of these countries received autonomy from the Habsburg rulers in 1867.

Step 5: Final conclusion.
The country that was granted autonomy by the Habsburg rulers in 1867 was: \[ \boxed{\textbf{(C) Hungary}} \]