Anglo-Austrian relations in times of European stress: 1918, 1938 and 2018

A symposium organised by the Cambridge Forum on Geopolitics and the Austrian Cultural Forum London. Bringing together leading Austrian and British historians this symposium focuses on the Anglo-Austrian relations after 1918 and contemplates several events recalled in this year of anniversaries. Followed by a discussion on the current Austrian Presidency of the Council of the EU with Tony Barber, Europe Editor of the Financial Times, and a member of the Austrian Embassy.

Programme

14:30 Introduction Professor Brendan Simms (Peterhouse)

14:45 Anglo-Austrian relations in the run up to the Anschluss 1938 and thereafter: An evolving relationship vividly demonstrating at first the limits of London and Vienna’s mutual comprehension. Professor Erwin Schmidl (University of Innsbruck) will explain in his paper how in a fast moving geo-political crisis, London and Vienna’s relationship moved rapidly across a wide spectrum of responses.

15:30 England and the last Austrian Kaiser Charles: 1918: hostility, indifference, support? Dr Christopher Brennan  (LSE) will discuss the changing dynamic of the complex relations between two monarchies.

16:45 Continuing the old Anglo-Austrian cordial exchanges in a changing political environment: The Hotel Sacher 1918-1938  Dr Monika Czernin (Munich) will examine the remarkable continuity in social structures which survived the collapse of empire in 1918 but proved incapable of weathering the storm of 1938.

17:30 Tea

18:00 Anglo-Austrian Relations in the shadow of the Austrian Presidency of the EU in 2018 and the ongoing negotiations on Brexit: round table discussion with Tony Barber Financial Times Europe editor and Dr Tunde Huber Director of the Austrian Cultural Forum London moderated by Richard Bassett (Christ’s)

18:45-19:20 Drinks/refreshments

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