Austria–Germany relations the allegations. Austria–Germany relations Relations between Austria and Germany are close, due to their shared history and language, with German being the official language and Germans being the largest ethnic group of both countries. Modern-day Austria and Germany were united until 1866: their predecessors were part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German Confederation until the unification of German states under Prussia in 1871, which excluded Austria. In 1918 after the end of World War I, Austria renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt for union with Germany but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye
John of Austria the Younger Madrid; when questioned closely by Charles II of England, who had met Don John in 1656, it became clear that Oates had no idea what he looked like, confirming the King's suspicion that the Plot was an invention. John of Austria the Younger John of Austria (the Younger) or John Joseph of Austria () (7 April 162917 September 1679) was a Spanish general and political figure. He was the only bastard son of Philip IV of Spain to be acknowledged by the King and trained for military command and political administration. Don John advanced the causes of the Spanish Crown