Russia and Austria-Hungary: non-political dialogue of two empires in the last third of the XIXth - the beginning of the XXth century

Abstract

The interaction between Russia and Austria-Hungary in the field of economics, tourism, science and education in the last third of the XIXth - the beginning of the XXth century is considered in the material. The migration flows between two neighbouring Empires are analyzed as a separate issue. The article touches upon the interest of Vienna and St. Petersburg in growing links in these areas. The archive material, diplomatic documents, the contents of periodical press, statistic data and memoirs serve as historical sources for studying the given issue. Finally, the authors come to the conclusion that regardless intense political conflicts erupted between Russia and Austria-Hungary, a cross-cultural dialogue, economic links and migration flows are being actively developed between two Empires. The priority growing links of Russia with the Austrian half of the Habsburg Empire that was ahead of Hungary in economic and cultural terms and where Slav population played a greater role in socio-economic, political and cultural life of the society is underlined in the article. Non-political contacts aren't being reduced after the Balkan crisis in 1908 that put Russia and Austria-Hungary in a difficult situation being a threat to the beginning of the war. The given fact was manifested with good reason in the first half of 1914