Military defeats in 1859 and 1866 have…

Military defeats in 1859 and 1866 have exposed the internal weakness of the Austrian Empire, and in 1867 Austria attempts to revitalize itself by joining with Hungary to form the Dual Monarchy

In the late 1860s, Slovenian leaders, convinced of the empire's imminent collapse, resurrect the dream of a united Slovenia.

They stage mass rallies, agitate for use of the Slovenian language in schools and local government, and seek support from the Croats and other South Slavs.

When the threat to the survival of Austria-Hungary wanes after 1871, the Slovenes withdraw their support for a South Slav union and adapt themselves to political life within the Dual Monarchy.