The Habsburgian Empire was one of the most culturally diverse nations in Europe . The biggest minority were the Hungarians , who , I would assume , also had the biggest cultural and political demands on the Austrians . Not to mention the numerous Slavic minorities (Czechs , Croatians , Slovaks and many more). What did they want to do to keep them in line for the long term? Did they plan on culturally converting them , or did they have a live and let live policy ?
This is just such a big question.
Basically the Habsburg monarchy created a dynastic orientated state patriotism, promoting state unity and loyalty towards the ruling house, supported by an army whose loyalty was constantly bound to the dynasty. In effect, the Monarchy ran a two hundred year programme attempting to place the monarchy as the unifying pillar for their peoples over the national identity and ethnic allegiances that abound. With an army drawn from across the distinct ethnic spectrum, each part could be called upon to police the other without fear of shirking their duty to supress open revolt.
The Kingdom of Hungary led by a a strong minority of Magyar elite who resisted Habsburg absolutism, were a problem from the very beginning of the dynasty's rule. This had less to do with national identity and more to do with the Magyar's attachment to the pan-feudalistic rights their constitution granted them, and their opposition to Vienna's attempts to remove them.
The Habsburg monarchy was less divided then you think, with many recent works looking to put an end to the unfounded stereotype of A.J.P Taylor as the Monarchy as a lost hope.
Can I recommend you google:
Follow up questions? Happy to help!