Franz Joseph I of Austria failed to save his still culturally blooming empire. Wars, political infighting, secessionist ethnic movements and social revolts eventually brought the Habsburg Empire to an end by the end of World War I.

Maria Theresa was the only Habsburg Empress and, in the 18th century, was the last ruler from the House of Habsburg who greatly strengthened the empire's cultural and political influence.

This episode covers the Swiss origin of the Habsburg dynasty and the rise of the future Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, who turned his small Viennese kingdom into a budding empire in the 15th century.