Uniting Germany And Austria: A Possible Future Alliance?

Germany and Austria have a shared history and culture, with German being the official language of both countries. In the past, there have been attempts to unite the two nations. Most notably, in 1938, Austria was annexed into Germany under the Nazi regime in what was known as the Anschluss. However, after World War II, Austria was established as a separate and independent state, and any efforts to unite the two countries were prohibited. Today, both Germany and Austria are members of the European Union, enjoying the benefits of free trade and movement within the bloc. While there may be cultural and historical similarities between the two countries, they remain distinct sovereign states with their own identities and industries.

Historical attempts at unification

The idea of unifying all Germans into one nation-state had been a subject of debate since the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. Austria wanted a "Greater Germany Solution", with the German states uniting under the leadership of the Austrian House of Habsburg. This solution would have included all German states and non-German regions of Austria, but it would have required Prussia to accept a secondary role. This controversy, called dualism, dominated Prusso-Austrian diplomacy and the politics of the German states in the mid-19th century.

In 1866, the feud between Austria and Prussia ended during the Austro-Prussian War, in which the Prussians defeated the Austrians and excluded the Austrian Empire and German Austrians from Germany. The Prussian statesman Otto von Bismarck formed the North German Confederation, which included most of the remaining German states and further expanded the power of the Kingdom of Prussia. Bismarck used the Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) as a way to convince southwestern German states, including the Kingdom of Bavaria, to side with Prussia against the Second French Empire. Due to Prussia's quick victory, the debate was settled, and in 1871, the "Lesser Germany" German Empire based on the leadership of Bismarck and Prussia was formed, excluding Austria.

After World War I, the idea of a "Greater Germany" gained support again as the new Republic of German-Austria attempted to form a union with Germany. However, the 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles forbade both the union and the continued use of the name "German-Austria". They also stripped Austria of some of its territories, such as the Sudetenland, leaving it without most of the territories it had ruled for centuries and amid an economic crisis.

In the 1920s, the proposal for unification had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center. However, popular support for unification faded with time. After Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, desire for unification could be identified with the Nazis, for whom it was an integral part of their "Heim ins Reich" concept, which sought to incorporate as many ethnic Germans outside Germany as possible into a "Greater Germany".

In 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced a referendum on a possible union with Germany versus maintaining Austrian sovereignty, to be held on March 13. Infuriated, Hitler threatened an invasion and demanded Schuschnigg's resignation. A day before the planned referendum, the German Army crossed the border into Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military. A plebiscite was held on April 10, with the ballot not being secret, and threats and coercion were employed to manipulate the vote, resulting in 99.7% approval for the unification.

Post-World War II

After World War II, there has been no serious effort among the citizens or political parties to unite Germany and Austria. In addition, the Austrian State Treaty forbids such a union, and the constitution requires Austria's neutrality. A 1987 survey revealed that only 6% of Austrians identified themselves as 'Germans'. Austria began to develop a separate national identity from Germany, although both countries continued to cooperate closely in economic and cultural fields during the Cold War. Moreover, political relations between both countries have been strong and amicable.

The impact of World War I

Political Impact

The end of World War I saw the fall of the German monarchy and the abdication of Kaiser Wilhelm II, leading to the establishment of the Weimar Republic. In Austria, the war's conclusion brought about a brief renaming of the country to the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany. However, this unification was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919, which was created by the victorious powers of World War I.

Social Impact

The war had a profound effect on the social fabric of both countries. There was a rise in extremist political parties, with many Germans and Austrians lending their support to these groups. The Social Democratic Party, Communist Party, and Nazi Party gained prominence during this period. Additionally, the war contributed to a sense of cultural despair, with a generation of young men lost to the conflict. This led to a sense of alienation and political disillusionment among the survivors.

Economic Impact

Both Germany and Austria suffered economically due to the war. Germany experienced hyperinflation, with its currency, the Reichsmark, spiralling out of control by 1923. Reparations imposed after the war, coupled with inflation across Europe in the 1920s, further exacerbated the economic woes. As a result, the middle class suffered significant losses, with personal savings wiped out and unemployment surging. Austria also faced severe food shortages, with its food supply increasingly reliant on potatoes and bread. Meat, fish, cheese, butter, rice, cereals, eggs, and lard became scarce, and the population had to resort to eating turnips during the "turnip winter" of 1916-1917.

The role of the Nazi regime

The unification of Germany and Austria, known as the Anschluss, was a significant event in the history of both countries and marked the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany. From 1938 to 1945, under the Nazi regime, Austria was annexed into Germany, which was seen as a reunification by many. This event was the culmination of years of political tension and power struggles between the two nations.

The Nazi regime played a pivotal role in the unification of Germany and Austria. Adolf Hitler, the Austrian-born leader of Nazi Germany, had expressed his desire for an Austro-German union in his earliest writings and speeches. He advocated for the reunification of Germany and Austria, considering all people of German blood to be part of the same Reich. Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 put him in a position to pursue his expansionist agenda.

Hitler's plans for Austria were facilitated by the Austrian Nazi Party, which gained support in the early 1930s as Hitler's popularity in Germany rose. The Austrian Nazi Party, despite initial disorganization and infighting, recognized Hitler as their leader and worked to undermine the Austrian government. They waged a propaganda and terror campaign, staging disruptive protests and engaging in violent acts. The Austrian government banned the Austrian Nazi Party in 1933, but its members continued to operate illegally, with many fleeing to Germany and forming the Austrian Legion, a paramilitary unit.

In 1934, Austrian Nazis attempted a coup, assassinating Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss. However, the majority of Austrians remained loyal to the government, and the coup failed. This setback led Hitler to pursue a more cautious approach, working behind the scenes to increase Nazi influence in Austria. In 1938, Hitler met with Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg and bullied him into naming top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. When Schuschnigg attempted to hold a plebiscite on Austrian independence, Hitler responded with a series of ultimatums, demanding Schuschnigg's resignation and the appointment of a Nazi, Arthur Seyss-Inquart, as the new chancellor.

On March 11, 1938, Schuschnigg resigned under coercion from the Nazis, and German troops marched into Austria the next day. Hitler appointed a new Nazi government, and on March 13, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed. Austria became a federal state of Germany, and the Nazis began the process of Nazification, transforming all aspects of Austrian life. The unification was widely popular in both Germany and Austria, and many Austrians participated enthusiastically in the Nazi regime.

The unification of Germany and Austria under the Nazi regime had far-reaching consequences. It marked a significant breach of the post-World War I international order and demonstrated Nazi disdain for international treaties. The international community's failure to intervene or punish Nazi Germany for this violation set a precedent for future aggression and expansionist policies, including the invasion of Czechoslovakia and Poland, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War II.

Austria's relationship with East Germany

Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history and culture, with German being the official language of both countries. The ancestors of Austrians were the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians).

From 555 to 843 CE, the Baiuvarii established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included the March of Pannonia that would become Austria around 970 CE. From 843 to 962 CE, Bavarian Austria came under East Francia (Kingdom of Germany). Austria then separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156. From 1156 to 1806, Austria and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself.

During the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Austria and Prussia allied against the French Empire but were ultimately defeated. In 1804, Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor, proclaimed the Austrian Empire as the remaining German states had become clients of Napoleon's French Empire. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation as a new organisation among the German states, in which Prussia and Austria reunited. It was during this period that the ideology of Pan-Germanism started to rise. However, the German Confederation lacked a central government with a real unifying force, leading to diplomatic tension between Prussia and Austria, who had different proposals for unifying the German states.

In the 19th century, nationalism was a powerful force, and by all definitions of culture and ethnicity at the time, Austrians and Germans were considered one people. However, there were also cultural differences between the two groups, and Austrians began to develop a separate national identity from Germans, especially after World War II.

After World War I, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany. However, this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye created by the winners of World War I. During the interwar period, Austria and Germany remained separate and distinct entities.

In conclusion, while Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history and culture, they have also had periods of tension and rivalry, especially during the 19th century when they competed for influence within the German Confederation. Ultimately, Austria was excluded from the unification of Germany in 1871, and the two countries followed separate paths for much of the 20th century.

Austria's relationship with West Germany

Austria and Germany share a close relationship due to their intertwined history and culture. The official language of both countries is German, and Germans are the major ethnic group in both. The ancestors of Austrians were the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians).

In early history, the Baiuvarii established the Duchy of Bavaria, which was ruled by Francia of West Germanic Franks from 555 to 843. This included the March of Pannonia, which later became Austria around 970. From 843 to 962, Bavarian Austria was under the rule of East Francia (Kingdom of Germany) and then separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156. From 1156 to 1806, Austria (excluding its non-German lands) and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria.

During the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Austria and Prussia were allies against the French Empire. However, they fought unsuccessfully, and in 1804, Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor, proclaimed the Austrian Empire as the remaining German states had become clients of Napoleon's French Empire. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation, reuniting Prussia and Austria. This period saw the rise of Pan-Germanism, the ideology advocating for the unification of all Germans into a single nation.

The German Confederation lacked a central authority, which led to diplomatic tensions between Prussia and Austria, both of which had ambitions to create a unified Germany under their respective proposals. Austria proposed a union centred on and dominated by the Habsburgs, while Prussia sought to exclude Austria from its affairs and become the central force in unifying the German states. This tension eventually led to the 1866 Austro-Prussian War, resulting in Prussia siding with Italy to defeat Austria. The Austrian Empire was dissolved into the Dual Monarchy of Austria-Hungary, and Prussia announced the creation of the German Empire, excluding Austria-Hungary.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Austria-Hungary and the German Empire maintained a military alliance and were both part of the Triple Alliance with Italy. However, Austria-Hungary's ambitions in the Balkans and its role in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 led to World War I. Despite their alliance, Germany was reluctant to enter the war, claiming the terms of passive military defence.

After World War I, both countries became republics and were heavily punished by the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria, seeking union with Germany, but this was forbidden by the treaties. During the interwar period, Austria and Germany remained separate entities.

In the 1930s, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, pursued an aggressive foreign policy, culminating in the annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss. This act of territorial expansion was widely popular in both Germany and Austria but was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain. Despite international condemnation, the annexation was not stopped, and Austria became a province of Nazi Germany.

After World War II, there have been no serious efforts to unite Germany and Austria. The Austrian State Treaty forbids reunification, and Austria's constitution requires neutrality. Today, Austria and Germany are separate nations with strong political, economic, and cultural ties, both being members of the European Union and sharing a common currency and a free border.

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