A great variety of ethnic groups made up the Austro-Hungarian empire. Ruled by the Hapsburg dynasty, they spent as much time concerned with internal political troubles as they did with external. They were not aggressive with the use of their army since they needed it to keep their empire together. They did not want to destroy France, only keep it within its natural boundaries, as a counter to the fears of aggressive expansion from Prussia and Russia.

Ereherzog Karl (Archduke Charles) instituted many reforms after the defeat at  Austerlitz in 1805. Although there was not time to complete these changes, the Austrian army fought doggedly in the 1809 campaign. Karl inflicted the first major defeat on Napoleon at Aspern-Essling in 1809 but lost a hard fought battle at Deutsch-Wagram shortly afterwards. Politics interfered greatly with Austrian strategy as did the difficult relationship between Karl and his father.