Emperor Charles I of Austria

Emperor Charles I of Austria, also known as Charles IV of Hungary, was the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reigning from 1916 until 1918. He aimed to modernize the empire and promote peace during World War I but faced significant difficulties. His leadership ended as the empire dissolved after the war, leading to the creation of new countries in Central Europe. Despite his abdication, he was seen by some as a hopeful figure for renewal, and he was canonized as a saint by the Catholic Church in 2004. His life reflects the decline of imperial rule in early 20th-century Europe.