Austrian colonial policy
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From the 17th century through to the 19th century Austrian Empire attempted to profit from colonial trade and to establish own colonies. Due to low support from the government and pressure by the other colonial powers all these attempts failed quickly.
[edit] Ostend Company
Ostend Company was a merchants company to trade with the Indies, chartered in 1722 in the Austrian Netherlands. International political pressures had ended its promising growth - in 1727 the charter was suspended and the company dissolved in few years later.
[edit] Nicobar islands
Colonisation of Nicobar Islands was a shortlived and unsucessful attempt the island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean colony of Austrian Empire. The colony was established in 1778. This had previously been a Danish colony and Austria established it with the mistaken assumption that Denmark had abandoned its claims to the islands. However by 1783 due to lack of support the last colonists left.
[edit] Later events
Due to lack of interest of the government Austria-Hungary didn't attempt to obtain colonies any later. Individual actions and expeditions didn't change this state.
In 1873 an Austrian expedition was sent to the poles and managed to discover and name Franz Josef Land. This was never a formal colony and neither other country put forward a claim until the Soviet Union annexed the islands in 1926.
A trader based in Hong-Kong sold rights to north Borneo, (modern Sabah), to the Consul of the Austria-Hungary in Hong Kong, Baron Von Overbeck. Von Overbeck managed to get a 10-year renewal of the lease from the Temenggong of Brunei, and a similar treaty from the Sultan of Sulu on January 22, 1878. To finance his plans for North Borneo, Overbeck found financial backing from the Dent brothers (Alfred and Edward). However, he was unable to interest his government in the territory. After efforts to sell the territory to Italy for use as a penal colony, Von Overbeck withdrew in 1880, leaving Alfred Dent in control.
In 1901, Austria gained a concession zone in Tianjin as a result of military help during suppression of the Boxer Rebellion.
