Although vastly different in many ways, Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia together form the heart of Central Europe. Austria has historically been much more visible in European politics than either Croatia or Slovenia, but as with the latter two, it has also been a part of various alliances over the centuries. Despite that, however, all three have retained their own sense of national identity through it all, weathering the fall of Austria-Hungary, both World Wars, the collapse of Yugoslavia, and entry to the European Union over the course of one hundred years. This comprehensive volume traces the evolution of these countries, from their earliest civilizations to the present day.