Karl I: The Last Emperor of Austria

[@Biographics]

Check out Keeps: keeps.com/biographics

[@LiamE69]

The pope beautified him? What did he do, put some make up on the corpse? The word you were looking for is beatified.

[@bestsport9044]

I'm tempted to say "too bad you find out about that sponsor too late"

[@greenkoopa]

Simon mate, I know you're funny. Where is that dry British sarcasm? They had you do a dang hair loss promo 😑

[@jimmyvance3007]

After everyrhing that's happened, would it be possible to do a video on Qassem Soleimani?

[@idshagtheshiteouaye1]

Do a biographics video on Nicolae Ceausescu

[@johnniebee4328]

Karl was a good man who did the best he could but was doomed from the start by forces beyond his control

[@84sp84]

I couldn’t agree more. While he likely never stood much of a chance, as a good man he tried to do something. For that he deserves to be remembered for his ideals for his people.

[@LathropLdST]

Fun fact - that was the way many refer to Nicholas II of Russia...

[@jimsanderson4180]

@@LathropLdST Not anyone who knows about Nicholas’ history.

[@Olonkerastopfan]

@@jimsanderson4180 most Russians do

[@riograndedosulball248]

@@LathropLdST also applies. Though Nicholas commited many errors, he wasn't a bad man either. He tried to make it work but was also doomed by his circunstances

[@davemorgan6013]

Fun fact: Unlike Wilhelm II, Karl never renounced his throne.

[@fansofst.maximustheconfess8226]

Exactly!

[@christianrhendy8145]

true, and thats why his son, Otto was considered by many ppl, as the heir apparent up until his death in 2011

[@nomore9004]

will he's dead

[@johnrose4572]

William II's first request upon arriving at his place of exile in Holland: "A nice cup of English tea."

[@thunderbird1921]

I'm pretty sure Napoleon III didn't abdicate either, the French legislature just declared a republic in 1870 (after his capture). So, if true, the Bonapartes are still first in line to the French throne (since the Bourbons declined the throne over the flag issue).

[@Red.Dots.]

you've seen it all when a bald man has a hair loss sponsor.

[@petercarioscia9189]

He uses it on his beard, obviously

[@phoradio1277]

His chest has quiet the shag going, yeah baby! Lol hair loss!!!

[@Ciborium]

Or a bearded man with a razor sponsor.

[@me0101001000]

@@Ciborium hey, man, I shave the areas where I don't want my hair to grow. Razors are good for sculpting. Think of it like trimming the bush.

[@MW-fs7vi]

What kind of a bald headed idea was that?

[@mundogameplay1341]

Franz Joseph- The unique Original Karl- The Awesome Sequel and a Kaiserreich Meme

[@RainCloud123]

B L E S S E D K A R L

[@franciscomm7675]

Sabre 1O1, he was a well meaning but inexperienced ruler who led his empire collapse and became its last monarch. Reminds of king Manuel ii of portugal. They both died young

[@RainCloud123]

Francisco MM The blessed thing is a meme from an alternate history game.

[@stefanmaier1853]

@@franciscomm7675 When he took over the track was set. The 1890ties maybe the early 1900s were the time when the Empire could have been reformed. At least at that time there was still enough good will within the political representatives of the different nationalities that could have lead to a federalisation of the system. The failure of the Badeni language reforms for Bohemia and Moravia and similar blunders esentially ended these possibilities.

[@islemboutelba4759]

vv pm

[@danielortman2534]

I think that final statement is an important reason why he is being considered for sainthood. Sometimes good people try and succeed, but other times they try and fail. Failure doesn't mean we should not try.

[@demilembias2527]

he didn't try as hard as he could have, because he was unwilling to give up those northern Italian territories. this wouldn't have even cost him anything real, just some prestige that the AH empire at that point was already hemorrhaging at a fatal rate. viewed differently, his inability to do this may have cost millions of lives. and that's why, as nice a guy as he may have been, he wasn't that different from Wilhelm II, Nicholas II, Pu Yi, and the rest of the last, delusional, entitled generation of old world emperors.

[@GK-yq2hh]

@@demilembias2527 @demi lembias He was unwilling to betray Slovenes and Friulians who have peacefully lived in the so-called Italian territories for a thousand of years. A true king and kaiser. Curse those italian proto-fascist irredentists who invaded my home!

[@herbert628]

@@GK-yq2hh I fell bad for you. Hopefully oneday south tyrol becomes indepent

[@larryhovekamp4318]

Karl's problem was that the empire he was trying to preserve was not worth preserving. It was like he was attempting to repair and reassemble a creaky medieval antique. He wasn't just incapable of preserving the Habsburg Empire. The imperial junkheap simply was overdue its euthanasia. Note: Pope John Paul's father was an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army. Karl's romantic Catholicism and naive attachment to a sugary past appealed to his namesake (could the Pope's civilian name, Karol, be inspired by the former emperor?). Another weird political irony of the times was that the Hapsburgs were more respected in the distant regions like Southern Poland than among ethnic Austrian Germans in Lower Austria and Bohemia. Many of them resented the Crown for granting concessions to other nationalities. This was the stimmering political cauldron that shaped disgruntled Austrian Germans like a young Adolf Hitler.

[@ImCarolB]

My great grandparents were from Galicia, Austria-Hungary and my grandmother was born in Vienna before the departed for NYC in 1895. My other grandfather was born in East Prussia. I often wondered how they felt about their home nations no longer existing.

[@nataliyabaker9905]

CAROL BARCLAY===SAME AS US/ ==RUSSIANS////===NO-ONE ASKING -HOW WE ARE SURVIVING AFTER RUSSIAN EMPIRE END---IM ONE OF ROMANOVS BY GRAND-GRANDS.....

[@BHuang92]

Considering what were their reason to immigrate to America, they might've missed their homeland but at least to your condolences, at least moving to America gave them a better life then they would had they chose to stay.

[@ImCarolB]

@@BHuang92 That's for sure!

[@black_hand78]

@@nataliyabaker9905 lol Romanovs all got killed there’s no way your related.

[@waren78657]

​@@black_hand78 All main branch yes, but there are so many of them, also they mixed with other royal families and with normal people aswell so there is slight possibliety she is related, definetly a long way from the line of succesion, especially she is a female

[@vidyaorszag]

Couple of things as someone who spent way too much time studying Austria-Hungary, The idea that the different peoples of A-H had trouble fighting together and lacked comradeship is plain wrong and has been disproven in academic circles- however, one can't overstate the fact that many people, especially nationalists behind the front and notoriously incompetent commanders, believed it and spun these rumours for their gain (e.g. making Czechs seem unreliable to justify oppressive measures). The "small" Italian claims on Austria-Hungary looks small on a map, and while Trentino would fit that description, the fact that the Italians also claimed the city of Trieste and the multiethnic province of Istria is nothing but small in importance. Trieste was the most important trading port of A-H, which would've economically crippled Austria and would've angered the Slovene and Croatian elites and population because they had a strong presence there, and arguably a majority of the Istrian population. What also didn't help was back in 1915, A-H had tried to negotiate with Italy with the same bargaining chips (Trentino and Trieste), but it was pretty clear that Italy would demand far more in order to make peace (and you can look at Italy at Versailles and after if you doubt it). Horthy, according to his own memoirs, did genuinely support Karl's restoration. Horthy, however, also wasn't stupid. Restoring Karl would've meant a joint Czechoslovak-Romanian-Yugoslav invasion to reverse that, screwing both Karl and Horthy along with Hungary herself (as if Hungary wasn't screwed enough at that point). These are minor complaints but these misunderstandings make Karl look incompetent, which is rather unfair considering his failures were essentially out of his control (although that second attempt in Hungary was just... what was he thinking? It's so uncharacteristic of him it makes my head scratch).

[@bigsouth010]

Basically he was thrown into the fire. Not in 16 but 14 with the assassins murder of archbishop. He had so much on his shoulder. But I can say the one blunder was in 1917. He should have given the territory to Italy and maybe history would be a lot different. Not saying the A H empire would be as large but it would still be there. But i highly doubt it would’ve survived past ww2. One of the biggest mistakes of Austria was throughout the 19th century was the fact that they wore there britches bigger than they really was. Austria has always had a lower population than most superpowers even to this day they only have around 10 million people. Not saying there military didn’t back up the talk. They had some major military victories over time. But they should have noticed the 19th century things was becoming very different. With the rise of the Germans the French Revolution which brought on the rise of Napoleon etc. And probably the biggest factor In There downfall was not being able to control the balkans. (But who has). The hasburg influence was a major reason Austria stayed relevant for so long. And dominated politics in Central Europe and beyond. If people haven’t noticed Austria may be one of the greatest empires to reign over multi ethnic situations with political power. Austria has always had another major power or 2 come to there aid during there darkest hour.

[@drewhunter8558]

The Pan-Slavic movement in the Russian Duma and its desire to bring about a "Slavic Brotherhood" led to covert IntelOps by the Russians. This movement ultimately expressed its desires by the operations of "The Black Hand" and the murder of the Archduke. Prior to this the idea of Nationalism and self determination was again instigated by foreign influencers ... with Russia as the main abuser (Refer to the Colonel Redl Affair - it was the Russians who were blackmailing him. Redl as Chief of Austro-Hungarian Security gave away the complete plans of the Armies capabilities, positions, strengths and security Ops for invading hostile Countries). The Independence movement of the Czechs had strong political backing and lobbying in America so much so that President Wilson gave his political support to it which in my opinion was a mistake. Most of the independence movements against the Habsburg empire were fomented by Socialist ideals and although spoke of freedom actually became xenophobic and severely authoritarian to its newly found minorities. One of the largest factors for the huge losses in manpower and material in the beginning of the war for the Habsburgs lay at the feet of the Hungarian parliament. The record shows that every time appropriation bills were considered to give the Austrian military increased monies for modernization in weapons and training, the Hungarians defeated those bills, why? because in their paranoia surrounding the dual form of government they felt that if the Austrians gained too much military prowess Hungary would be susceptible to invasion. This action led to millions of Austro-Hungarian soldiers sacrificed on the eastern front from which she never recovered. Whether Karl I or another Noblemen took the reigns of power after Fanz Josefs death the amount of obstacles to either stop or win the war was practically impossible.

[@stefanmaier1853]

You might continue with a BioGraphics on his son Otto, who both offered himself to lead Austria against a Nazi invasion as well as tried to organize an exile government to playing a key role in the European integration, becoming member and senior member (Alterspräsident) of the first European Parliament.

[@Berserker3624]

He should’ve taken it better to lead the Habsburg family to war for their nation than to let it suffer under Nazi rule

[@mikeor-]

Prior: Who asks for admission? MC: Otto von Osterriech, once Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary. Royal Prince of Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, Galicia and Lodomeria; Prince of Jerusalem, etc; Grand Duke of Tuscany and Cracow; Duke of Lorraine, Salzburg, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Bukowina; Grand Prince of Transylvania, Margrave of Moravia; Duke of Silesia, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Guastalla, Auschwitz and Zator, Teschen, Friuli, Dubrovnik and Zadar; Princely Count of Habsburg and Tyrol, of Kyburg, Gorizia and Gradisca; Prince of Trent and Brixen; Margrave of Upper and Lower Lusatia and Istria; Count of Hohenems, Feldkirch, Bregenz, Sonnenburg etc.; Lord of Trieste, Kotor and the Windic March, Grand Voivod of the Voivodeship of Serbia etc, etc. Prior: We do not know him! (MC knocks) Who asks for admission? MC: Dr. Otto von Habsburg, President and Honorary President of the Pan European Union. Mitigated and oldest member of various institutions and honors bestowed upon him in recognition of his decades-long struggle for the freedom of people, for justice, and for the right. Prior: We do not know him! (MC knocks) Who asks for admission? MC: Otto, a mortal, sinful, man! Prior: So let him come in!

[@johnendersby1619]

I would love see a video on Ott Von Habsburg. I vaguely recall reading a biography in the Economist when he died in 2011 titled 'The Man who got Everything Right'. He was happy to renounce his titles, couldn't stand Nazi or Communist ideology, advocated for rule of law and human rights. After Eastern Europe was free he served in various parliaments. Finally when on a visit to Hungary he was asked who he would be cheering for in the upcoming Austria/Hungary soccer game. He replied by asking 'Who are we playing?'. So great sense of humour and a humility worthy of a episode on his life.

[@savagedarksider5934]

Otto would have made A great emperor.

[@Flex2212]

he gave two speeches 20 years ago talking at length how he knew since the 80s what a dangerous and sinister and even cruel man Vladimir Putin was and how the man could be the one great danger to peace in Europe. You can find them on here, albeit only in German afaik.

[@secretsmysteries8338]

Thank you for this. Karl was a good man at the worst time.

[@franciscomm7675]

Abc Xyz, well said

[@ladyagnes7781]

Pope John Paul II ( who beatified Karl), was the son of a WWI Polish vet who fought under Karl I. The man was so moved by Karl's ability to deal with war while trying , as a Christian, to mitigate &/or end it....that he named his son Karol( Polish for Karl) after the Emperor. That son Karol With a(spelling?) Became JP II & got to beautify the fellow he was named after.

[@ladyagnes7781]

.

[@LathropLdST]

BeAtify. Sheesh.

[@baz5042]

Franz Joseph: Karl won’t be Emperor Fate: Are you sure about that?

[@felixlps1]

Fate are you sure? More like God. After all, he is blessed and considered for sainthood.

[@darthvenator2487]

What of these death is the more tragic? Abraham Lincoln, Franz Joseph or Stilicho or all the three?

[@AaronTheGreat________]

Silly comment Franz Josef preferred Karl over Franz Ferdinand

[@sinaboxter]

Do one about Otto von Habsburg, Karl’s son that was a member of European Parliament a notable supporter of revolutions of 1989 in Eastern European countries and their subsequent integration in the European Union.

[@keizervanenerc5180]

At least his son Otto got elected for the European parliament. Otto's son Karl too! The habsburgs still rule on, be in democratic systems.

[@antoniobarone99]

Enjoy this BLESSED video, lads

[@gardensofthegods]

Not everybody that watches this is male... some of us are females

[@benno291980]

Haaaaa nice I get it

[@soccrstar4]

gardensofthegods Enjoy this BLESSED video, wams.

[@ethanramos4441]

“Now, we must help each other to get to Heaven” Karl I of Austria

[@blathermore]

Yes.his ambitions extended beyond being a mere emperor.....

[@DoraFauszt]

11:38 is not Karl's coronation to Austrian Emperor Karl I, but his coronation to Hungarian king, Karl IV.

[@Dave_Sisson]

The crown is definitely the Hungarian crown, not the Austrian one.

[@ValerianLincinius]

@royal24 Austria was an Empire since 1804 when Franz I./II. created it. Also Austria contains the Kingdom of Bohemia which would be another kingdom. The archduchy itself was desolved und recreated as two seperate entities, the so called Kronland (crown lands, ergo provinces) of the archduchies of Austria ob der Enns and Austria unter der Enns

[@Domhangairt]

His title as Apostolic King of Hungary was IV. Karoly, not Karl IV.

[@jaredmn8580]

This man inherited an empire on its deathbed

[@bolt7047]

And thw worst about it he could have saved it if he just gave the part of Italy up but he was arrogant so he didn't

[@UNMASKINGISLAMOPHOBIA]

On Ventilator

[@riograndedosulball248]

@@bolt7047 it wasn't even ethnically italian tho, they took south Tirol and to this day they refuse to be considered italians

[@thethirdsicily4802]

@@bolt7047 he really couldn't have, he pursued peace multiple times, especially when the Pope tried to mediate a peace, but both Germany and the Entente refused.

[@ericmarley7060]

He was a good, peace-loving man in a world that didn't want good, peace-loving men. I mean, his last words to his wife on his death bed were "I love you so much."

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

I am glad that you have remembered the life of my poor successor. Now that you have done a biographic on the last Emperor of Austria, I would greatly appreciate it if you did one on the first, me, Franz II/I; last Holy Roman Emperor and first Austrian Emperor, as you have been on an Austrian kick lately and I have been mentioned in many of your videos already. We must learn how this great Austrian Empire was forged!

[@europaeuropa3673]

Karl would do well today or even 80 years ago...........he was ahead of his time.

[@YusefYandron]

he was a devout practicing catholic so he would not fit in the modernist world he would be opposed to it almost all of it

[@thethirdsicily4802]

@@YusefYandron he may do well in a country like Hungary or Poland, but even then the morals are quite far removed from what he would be used to.

[@jamellfoster6029]

Maybe 70 years ago when my Mom was born because after WWII ended things became much more modernized...

[@jamellfoster6029]

@@YusefYandron he would have fit in the 1950s when my Mom was a kid...

[@UrbanCohort]

"It is possible to make no mistakes and still lose. That is not failure, that's life."

[@TAB1999]

As an Austrian I especially love your videos about my country, keep it up!

[@MrDuck-oi3qc]

​@Abc Xyz Its not sad at all. Its just the flow of time.

[@TAB1999]

Abc Xyz lol I‘m pretty happy we‘re no longer an empire, considering our track record and how extraordinary our living standard is today.

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

Now let's remember the first Austrian Emperor, me, Franz II/I!

[@Levitiy]

@@night6724 And the UK was the biggest power of Europe, continental or inter-continental.

[@williamcrawford7621]

Even though you prefer Austria as a nation to an empire, what do you think of Emperor Karl?

[@Edmonton-of2ec]

0:47 Karl I and IV. He was the first Austrian Emperor names Karl or Charles but the fourth in Hungary, and also technically Charles III in Bohemia

[@thethirdsicily4802]

I wish he was Charles II in galicia or Croatia, then we could have Karl I, II, III, and IV

[@FRAGIORGIO1]

And the fourth in Croatia !

[@killianschafer765]

It's crazy to think that if the empire had never collapsed Karls son Otto would have ruled Austria Hungary for 89 years from 1922-2011 (with someone presumably his mother acting as regent for the first 8 or so years).

[@turdferguson9356]

"It is... too late for me..." -Darth Vader

[@mistershadier8577]

Kaiserreich fans praying to our Lord and saviour here

[@beleata74]

B L E S S E D K A R L

[@Downloadguy1995]

I had the honour of being a standard bearer in italy a few years ago when a relic of him (small piece of his bones) was enshrimed

[@Jg-jg6jb]

Mr Shades blessed danubian federation

[@fritzbasset8645]

@@Jg-jg6jb His son, the good Crown Prince Otto, was also a good and great man. If Franz Ferdinand had been allowed to rule or Karl's peace plans employed the world would have been better off. The explosion of the Austro-Hungarian Empire did no one any good; I say this as a second generation Serb in the US. Admiral Horthy deserves special condemnation.

[@AragornRespecter]

PLEASE FRANCIS RECOGNIZE HIM AS A SAINT

[@thschnick]

Blessed Karl!

[@peculiarpangolin4638]

Hullo there, Hans.

[@tastefullynerdy1161]

Rest in peace, your blessed Imperial Highness.

[@rocky_kavuri]

I gotta respect the man. Even though he failed, he was looking in the right direction. Maybe if he had some more time, he would've been more successful.

[@jasonwilliamtjandra]

And he also sadly passed away on young age which is only in his 30s (which is the opposite of his son which died old in his 80s)

[@oslonorway547]

(Next Biographics): *Marcus Aurelius,* The philosopher King of Rome. ... I was surprised you guys have never done his' yet.

[@Troytrapz]

YES! I have been waiting so long lol

[@bovineone2420]

Gipsy Danger - There's one that's just called "Meditations". It's good.

[@nickox7813]

yes please do it

[@registeelix]

Can you do Simon Whistler's biography? He's a chill guy. Would be interesting.

[@Redfoot138]

I'll get on Skillshare to learn how to promote the bio on Squarespace while playing War Thunder and sipping on my Shaker and Spoon!

[@mundogameplay1341]

It will be an Awesome idea for a 1 Million Subs Special

[@dp6447]

“..the Kaiser agreeing to put on heels and do a little dance for Karl in a Berlin nightclub”. Mental image of the day 😂💀

[@almighty3946]

It’s kinda hilarious

[@hannovonbahrenfeld5986]

What?

[@TheAustrianAnimations87]

Karl was a great leader, a Prince of peace, who wanted to save the world from a year of war; a statesman with ideas to save his people from the complicated problems of his Empire; a King who loved his people, a fearless man, a noble soul, distinguished, a saint from whose grave blessings come. - Herbert Vivian This war without end is criminal. What is abominable is that they do not want to end it. No, they do not want. Do not try to tell me that there was no way to end it. Emperor Charles offered peace; he is the only decent man to have appeared in this war, and he was not listened to. There was, through him, a chance that could have been seized... Clemenceau called the emperor a "rotten conscience," it's ignoble. Emperor Charles sincerely wanted peace, and therefore was despised by the whole world. A king of France, yes a king, would have had pity on our poor, exhausted, bloodlet nation. However democracy is without a heart and without entrails. When serving the powers of money, it is pitiless and inhuman. - Anatole France He tried to compensate for the evaporation of the ethical power which emperor Franz Joseph had represented by offering völkisch reconciliation. Even as he dealt with elements who were sworn to the goal of destroying his empire he believed that his acts of political grace would affect their conscience. These attempts were totally futile; those people had long ago lined up with our common enemies, and were far from being deterred. - Paul von Hindenburg

[@bolt7047]

Lets be honest, this was more intersting than anything at school today

[@smartbecauseiam864]

Simon, thank you for making biographics a podcast. Love it!

[@swampgrampus]

Just pointing out that the Pope will “beatify” someone as the first stage of raising them to sainthood. Not “beautify” them. I think a makeover would do that. 😀

[@christopherfuentez5285]

Hey Simon! You have a great head on you!

[@Taistelukalkkuna]

*Picture of Pope doing makeup for Karl*

[@alecblunden8615]

It shows just how worthless the process of canonization is - if it embraces a useless and ineffective idiot like Karl.

[@jurisprudens]

@@alecblunden8615 I am sure he could not compete in terms of "uselessness" with some idiots in the comment section...

[@LathropLdST]

@@alecblunden8615 Easy to say, you were never entrusted with as much as a toilet brush, let alone a multicultural empire... Who is the useless idiot, I wonder...

[@itznotmytube]

Simon has such a great presentational style in these videos. Makes it enjoyable to actually learn something. :-D Also that ad sponsor bit was well done, given how nonsensical one might think a hair loss prevention product could be as a sponsor.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

Biographics: It is all about hair loss Simon: Yeah yeah yeah.

[@Manuel-gu9ls]

Mike Hydropneumatic hey bald people has feelings 😉 😁😆

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

@@Manuel-gu9ls Simon: It grows, yet on the wrong place of my head!

[@Kafue]

This is one of the most thought provoking &, as the French might say "réjouissant" videos you have made. The English translation would be "sympathetic", however that word, to use your method of narrative, it is not encompassing enough. I truly thank you, not just for the history, but the manner in which you closed the chapter on this presentation. FIRST CLASS!

[@shesaknitter]

Decency may not be enough, but at least he tried, which is much more than can be said of so many leaders throughout history. Thanks for this video, Biographics team!. I knew nothing about this man at all, and I am a big fan of history. Don't know how I missed so much.

[@generalkenobi5533]

Karl I and Jimmy Carter were the same person 60 years apart. Good men with the right instincts who were completely and utterly unqualified for the positions they ended up in. Both got undeserved hate at the time and both are now being recognized for the good they did.

[@xerxen100]

Ejj, Karls IV never hated in Hungary, but still hated in every other former AH country.

[@BroKEnCaPSLoCk1]

Tbh, videos about Austria-Hungary should be sponsored by moustache wax...

[@robertsollory7475]

Good episode. I'd never even heard of Karl I before this. I learnt a lot today.

[@docjanos]

Karl's son Otto became a leader in the establishment of the EU. He is my brother's Godfather. Otto's daughter visited my family in Chicago and I gave her a tour of the city. Otto's son, also named Karl, gives talk to (mostly) Hungarian expat groups around the world. Kar'ls son Ferdinand is a rising star in sports car racing. The Habsurgs are still around, minus the empire.

[@gregmoore5740]

Your last point is so insightful. Life isn’t always about being a “good man,” but also an effective one.

[@seangannon6081]

The image of Kaiser Wilhelm wearing heels and dancing in a nightclub was probably the last thing I’d expect to be thinking of this morning....but I also can’t think of a more ridiculous and hilarious situation.

[@richardcleveland8549]

Read up on Willy a little . . . he was notorious for hosting men-only parties where some of his generals dressed in women's attire. One such apparently had a heart attack whilst wearing a tutu.

[@Teleoceras]

7:44 It was June 28, 1914 when Franz Ferdinand was assassinated. July 28th was when the First World War broke out.

[@cuttlefisch]

It was on June 28 1900 when Archduke Franz Ferdinand had to attend a meeting to renounce the throne for his future children so that he would be allowed to marry Sophie Chotek.

[@PSIRockOmega]

I'd like to see a video on Karl's son Otto.

[@johnholden7825]

Right? That dude was amazing; I had the honor of meeting him a few years before his death, and chatted with him about his impressions of meeting Stalin. Absolutely hardcore.

[@boomerix]

He learned Hungarian, because he wanted to become "more Hungarian than Horthy", since he felt personally betrayed that he didn't let Karl take the throne. His Son George is Hungary's official envoy to the Vatican. George also used to be the President of the Red Cross in Hungary and had been named Hungary's Ambassador extraordinary to the European Parliament in 1996.

[@blathermore]

@@johnholden7825 So that's it? Just hard core? Hard core what? What a tease!

[@breadman32398]

Great last remarks, we can all long for the days when our leaders might care about our soldiers and countries again.

[@mammuchan8923]

Totally agree

[@FRAGIORGIO1]

Trump tried to get US troops out of wars in Afghanistan and Syria, and he wanted peace with Russia and it would have been for Ukraine also, but the powerful Oligarchs that Control US bureaucracy and politicains did not want peace, because it was Business for some Moguls .

[@carolinagoldgirl8706]

It’s not really his fault though...the whole thing really. He was never taught any of it unlike Franz Joseph who had his mother Sophia orchestrating the whole thing. No one even paid attention to Karl like you said because no one ever did think he would rule the country.....he also tried to do peace (due to his religion the the dying around him) when everything was already in motion. Most of it wasn’t his fault.

[@thiagomoreira5897]

Austria must return to being an Empire. 🙌🏻👑

[@vchengsportstv4666]

i agree

[@albertito77]

Bring back the Hapsburgs!!!

[@dashingdave2665]

Those were very thoughtful parting words on the topic. The guy played the hand he was given really

[@trj1442]

One of the best Biographics episodes ever. Thankyou for your content bio team

[@sandervr10]

This is just a sad story in the end ...the end of an Empire and a man ..

[@williamcrawford7621]

Unless you're Catholic, in which case the man is probably looking down in horror at our current crop of leaders.

[@thethirdsicily4802]

@@williamcrawford7621 yeeeeup. Blessed Karl pray for us.

[@darthvenator2487]

Karl you fucking Jerry!

[@SingingWolf77]

Started this video as a placeholder until I found another Simon video, but stayed til the end. What a tale.

[@explorer1968]

Karl I, a failed dreamer, a decent man with the wrong aspirations, a pacifier in the middle of a maddening war...

[@marccervania4473]

Enjoyed this one vey much because of its multi-perspectives. Thank you

[@Domhangairt]

At his trial, assassin Gavrilo Princip claimed that Free Masons had organized the assassination of Franz Ferdinand in 1914. In his memoirs, Austria's wartime foreign minister Count Ottakar Czernin mentioned a discussion he had had with Franz Ferdinand back in 1913 during which the Austrian crown prince told Czernin that he had been sentenced to death by a gathering of Free Masons.

[@christopheraliaga-kelly6254]

Where did you read this? Claims about the Freemasons being behind an assortment of important events are 'ten-a-penny' and rarely based on fact. The chances are that someone claimed this and it got repeated, like the infamous 'Stab-in-the-back' claim about the Jews, Leftists and Freemasons being behind Germany's surrender in October. At least you did not claim the Jews were working with the Freemasons, the "Protocols of Zion" have long been proved to have been an Imperial Russian forgery. Nowadays, we have George Soros being blamed by idiots and Conspiracy Theorists...

[@taybak8446]

Very good. You held my interest throughout. Not many do.

[@JiveDadson]

In Vienna, you can stand in the room where Karl officially gave up. The rooms all had nifty space heaters that servants could tend from passageways behind the walls.

[@WavyHippie420]

From a History buff and a borderline psychotic information and knowledge seeker, I humbly Thank You Simon, and all the staffers behind each and every informative Channel you all are responsible for.

[@FourOf92000]

7:50 the story of the assassination is much, much crazier than this sentence allows

[@danielalarranaga]

Love your channel!

[@wholeNwon]

Youth and great responsibility are rarely compatible. Success in life often involves a measure of luck, too. At least Austria gave Zita and Otto appropriate funerals.

[@claireviennaguide8576]

wow, how well explained, beautiful !

[@huszar1075]

BRING HIM BACK! Hes the last emperor to this date, but hopefully not forever!

[@richardlawson4317]

Um, he's like dead.

[@thedarkweeb1253]

@@richardlawson4317 The habsburgs do still to this day live in austria the oldest one is the head of at least two knights orders called the knights of the golden vlies in austria and the knights order of holy sebastian in europe Although they are not allowed to have aristrocatic titles one of them is a race car driver but I forgot his name

[@MarloSoBalJr]

@@thedarkweeb1253 Ferdinand Z is the racecar driver

[@timi1655]

@@thedarkweeb1253 yes, there are Habsburgs is Hungary too

[@peterstadlmaier3107]

@@thedarkweeb1253 Ferdinand Zvonimir Habsburg-Lothringen

[@billylangley1462]

Beautifully told Simon!

[@nomine4027]

The hair growth sponsor was an unexpected chuckle, thank you.

[@greenbutter3190]

Stable video👍

[@seangannon6081]

If the image of the Kaiser in heels, dancing for Karl doesn’t make you laugh you need a new sense of humor.

[@kwameyeboah1563]

Could you do Nicholas II, the last czar of Russia? I like the theme of last emperors/monarchs

[@brooklynhounsell4135]

Time for BLESSED KARL

[@ZeroCGR2]

I like the jokes in this episode. Wrong month revolution, Gaston minus the muscles, hair loss sponsor. XD On a side note since you mentione him why not do John Paul II biography? Cheers

[@WombRaider001]

You guys deserve 10 million subs!

[@cs7725]

Another fabulous video. Well done!

[@MuddieRain]

Definitely wouldn’t blame him on the fall of the empire

[@apo5895]

It was his fault

[@markadams7597]

Well done and well said! Ty.

[@morghenmurdochlundgren8640]

Simon,you are a true card,good sense of humor with the hair sponsor,bravo old chap,keep up the great work.

[@WilliSchwartz]

Simon, I live your channel. You point out tons of facts about historical events and times. Thank you for your teaching.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:30 - Chapter 1 - A family in crisis 5:05 - Chapter 2 - Prelude to conflict 9:00 - Chapter 3 - The soldier 12:45 - Mid roll ads 14:00 - Chapter 4 - The emperor 17:30 - Chapter 5 - Collapse 20:40 - Chapter 6 - You can never go back

[@isaacgriffin5690]

Great video! I really enjoyed this

[@franzuvvu]

this video has been blessed by BLESSED KARL himself

[@lyndondowling2733]

Very thought-provoking.

[@Lol-dx8lt]

The emeperor they needed at the wrong time i think he would become a great emperor and would have change the entire empire like the united states model

[@thethirdsicily4802]

They had plans, not like the U.S, but more like a sort of UK, with parliaments in each major part of the empire iirc.

[@zmanjace1364]

I kinda love that picture of Franz Josef. Not often you see old pictures with people smiling, let alone an Emperor.

[@mikeor-]

In exile, far from the land, You dwell now, Austria's hope! Otto, true and firmly united, We stand behind you as a rock. To thee, my Emperor, may heaven grant Old glory and new luck! Bring peace at last to the people, Return to the homeland soon! Bring peace at last to the people, Return to the homeland soon!

[@johnlinley4375]

The Kaiser was in favor of peace in 1916, contrary to what you report (12:20). It was, in fact, after extensive argument with his staff that he did not sue for peace. The staff argued that submarine warfare would defeat England, and Russia would collapse, freeing their eastern army.

[@Contessa6363]

My paternal grandparents actually had that on their passports. They were ethnic Croatians They also had Austro Hungarian Empire on their Birth Certificates as well.

[@kaloarepo288]

His wife,the empress Zita who was Italian(The Parma branch of the Bourbons) died not that long ago at a great age.

[@Luubelaar]

9 May 1892 - 14 March 1989 (aged 96)

[@cynthiasimpson931]

Um, Simon, the word is "beatified," not "beautified."

[@alecblunden8615]

The latter sounds far more pleasant.

[@joshdelaet3536]

OOooOoOoOOoO. ACKSHYUALLLY

[@loupiscanis9449]

Thank you

[@apples8754]

The B L E S S E D Karl!

[@lesego20]

Simon: This video was brought to you by... Me: Skill sh... Simon: KEEPS!!!

[@Nyctophora]

Life would be better with more people like him, sad that he wasn't able to do as much good as he wanted. Also, Simon, you rock the bald look and you never have a bad hair day.

[@leevue9357]

Please do a video of Pa Chay Vue. If you can!! Love your videos brother.

[@tonykubasek7905]

Shame that Austrian empire collapsed, it could be very strong country. My grandparents worked for Habsburghs.

[@djnon-refundablefee9245]

This is one of the few guys who genuinely had bad luck. He tried.

[@Masada1911]

The irony of that sponsor is just too much