Count Leopold Berchtold

Count Leopold Berchtold (1863-1942) was an Austro-Hungarian diplomat and politician, best known for his role as the Foreign Minister from 1912 to 1915, during the tumultuous years leading up to and during World War I. He played a significant role in shaping Austria-Hungary’s foreign policy, particularly in its response to the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914, which contributed to the outbreak of the war. Berchtold’s actions reflected the complex geopolitical tensions of the time, and his decisions were pivotal in the unfolding of events that had lasting impacts on Europe and the world.