Maximilian I’s reign (1493–1519) marked a pivotal period in the Habsburg ascent as a European power, both through territorial consolidation and strategic alliances. By reuniting Austrian lands that had been divided since 1379, and through his son Philip’s marriage to Joanna of Castile, Maximilian set the stage for an empire that would span Spain, its Italian and North African territories, and its expanding empire in the Americas. This marriage alliance gave rise to the powerful Habsburg dynastic empire, embodying the motto Tu felix Austria nube ("You, Austria, marry happily") as a guiding strategy.
Beyond diplomatic alliances, Maximilian also pursued military campaigns, notably in the Italian Wars against France, as well as conflicts with Switzerland. The Swiss won their independence in 1499 after the Battle of Dornach and the Treaty of Basel, marking a significant loss for the Habsburgs, who originally hailed from Switzerland.
Domestically, Maximilian attempted reform at the 1495 Diet of Worms, establishing the Imperial Chamber Court and the Reichsregiment, a short-lived attempt at a central governing body. He modernized imperial administration but often lacked funds, relying heavily on the Fuggers and other bankers, who later helped secure his grandson Charles’s succession. Maximilian’s decision to declare himself Emperor in 1508 without a papal coronation in Rome also set a new precedent, reinforcing his autonomy and establishing a tradition of self-coronation that marked a turning point in the Holy Roman Empire’s history. Through these actions, Maximilian significantly strengthened the Habsburg legacy, setting the foundation for its reach across Europe and the globe.