Seite - 386 - in THE FIRST WORLD WAR - and the End of the Habsburg Monarchy, 1914 – 1918

386 The Third Front it immediately.914 It was only the measures related to the establishment of the military area that brought a change in this regard. The war against Italy was also rooted in different causes than the campaigns against Serbia and Russia, and it saw the Danube Monarchy in a different role. The war against Serbia had after all been triggered by Austria-Hungary. The conflict with Russia was a result of the coming into effect of the alliances. However, Italy had stepped out of line and strung its allies along. The initiative by no means lay with Austria-Hungary, but had from the start been with the Apennine state. However, ‘Kakania’, as the Austro-Hungarian Empire was derisively known, had no option but to demonstrate its impotence, and had to put up a good front. During the months of negotiation and tactical manoeuvring, everything had been pushed to one side. Italy was by no means to be provoked through aggressive, rabble-rousing language. This suppression of feelings suddenly came to an end in May, and now attempts were made at least to make it possible for verbal negotiations to take place. At this point in time, the war propaganda not only reached a high point, but also an incompara- ble degree of importance. Now, instead of desperation, tough determination must be shown. This attitude was reinforced by the great success enjoyed by the Central Powers at precisely this critical time in the Gorlice-Tarnów Offensive. However, sensibilities had been focussed on the Italian problem far earlier. Since at the end of the July Crisis, demonstrations had been held and the Italian national anthem had also been played and sung alongside those of Austria and Germany, the disappointment over the stance taken by Italy had, beyond official policy, turned into latent apathy. Now, all this could be released, becoming a textbook example of the law of intellectual deterioration when emotions are exploited for very specific political situations.915 The images and symbols for the people living in the kingdom had already long been coined. They ranged from the usual dismissive descriptions through to the new stereotypes that then only had to be placed in relation to their own value system and self-concept in order to enable the propaganda to get into full swing. All this worked excellently, even without central control by a propaganda ministry. The slogans and symbols were to a certain extent visible on the streets, and with regard to their own value judgements, everything could be repeated that had already been said until that point about the purpose of the war. Indeed, to some degree, even more convincing arguments could be prevented. The possibility that Serbia might annex parts of the Monarchy was in realistic terms never regarded as very great. In the case of Serbia and Russia, an open, realistic demand for the annexation of Austrian and Hungarian territories was lacking. And even if the prospect did arise, it was simply discounted. Italy, however, wanted core regions of the Dual Monarchy and openly declared its intentions. If Italy were to be successful, the existence of the Empire was at stake, and the end could be foreseen. This led to a mass movement of those people living in the