Austro-Hungarian soldiers celebrate the 30th birthday of Kaiser Karl, waving paper lanterns as one holds a framed portrait of the Emperor in an postcard promotion for a Festival for the Kaiser.
On lantern: Hoch unser geleibster KaiserKaiserfest der 99 Ger. im Hohenmauther Prater am 17 August 1917Hurrah for our beloved EmperorFestival for the Kaiser 99 Ger. im Hohenmauther Prater on August 17, 1917
Emperor Karl I of Austria-Hungary and King Karl IV of Hungary.On the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Karl, son of Franz Ferdinand's younger brother, became heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. On the death of his great-uncle Franz Joseph on November 21, 1916, Karl assumed the titles Emperor of Austria and Apostolic King of Hungary. He took command of the army on December 2, 1916.Karl entered into secret negotiations with France for a peace separate from Germany. His denials of these negotiations were disproved when French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau released letters Karl had signed. Ottokar Czernin, Foreign Minister for both Franz Joseph and Karl, resigned in protest.Karl relieved Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf as Chief of the Austro-Hungarian General Staff on March 1, 1917.With the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Karl relinquished participation in the administration of the state, but never abdicated his throne, and twice tried to restore the monarchy. To prevent further attempts, the Allies exiled him to the island of Madeira in 1921, delivered there on a British cruiser.Karl died on April 1, 1922.Due in part to his efforts to end the war, Karl was beatified by Pope John Paul II on October 3, 2004.
Birth Date: August 17, 1887
Date of Death: April 1, 1922
National Affiliation: Austria-Hungary
