599. The First World War: Downfall of the Habsburgs (Part 6)

In this episode of "The Rest Is History," Dominic and Tom delve into the Austro-Hungarian Empire's struggles on the Eastern Front during World War I, focusing on the fortress city of Przemysl. They discuss the disastrous military strategies of General Conrad von Hötzendorf, the ethnic tensions within the empire, and the brutal treatment of Jewish populations by the invading Russians. The siege of Przemysl becomes a symbol of the empire's decay, highlighting the horrific conditions endured by soldiers and civilians alike, and foreshadowing the ethnic cleansing and violence that would plague Eastern Europe in the coming decades. The hosts also touch on the broader implications of Austria-Hungary's failures for the outcome of the war and the rise of ethnic conflicts in the region.