Austria And Germany: Cultural Identity And Historical Ties

The question of whether Austrians identify as German is a complex one, with historical, cultural, and linguistic factors at play. Austria and Germany share a significant part of their history, with Austria having been a part of the German Empire until 1866. The two nations also share a language, with Austrian German being mutually intelligible with Standard German, though there are distinct differences in vocabulary and accent.

Historically, German nationalism was a political ideology in Austria, with several political parties advocating for close ties with Germany or even the incorporation of Austria into a Greater Germany. This sentiment was particularly strong in the 19th century, with the German-speaking population of the Austro-Hungarian Empire seeking to establish a Greater Germany. However, after World War II, pan-Germanism and the idea of political union with Germany became unpopular due to their association with Nazism.

Today, Austrians generally do not identify as German, with a strong sense of Austrian national identity. However, the influence of German nationalism can still be seen in the ideologies of some far-right political parties in Austria. While there may be regional differences and individual variations, the majority of Austrians now see themselves as a separate nation with a distinct identity from their German neighbours.

Austrians speak German, but with some differences

Accent and Pronunciation

Austrian German is quite soft, with certain vowels pronounced differently. There is also a melodic lilt in the way Austrians speak. People from Northern Germany have a sharper, clearer pronunciation, while the Southern regions, including Bavaria, sound very similar to Austrian German.

Vocabulary

There are many key vocabulary differences between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, in Austrian German, you would say "grüß gott" or "servus" to greet someone, whereas in Standard German, you would say "hallo" or "guten tag". Additionally, some words have different meanings in Austrian German and Standard German. For instance, "Pfannkuchen" means pancakes in Standard German but is referred to as "Palatschinken" in Austrian German.

Grammar

There are also some minor grammatical differences between the two languages. For example, the perfect tense in Austrian German sometimes uses "sein" ("to be"), instead of "haben" ("to have") as in Standard German. Additionally, the preterite (simple past) is very rarely used in Austrian German, especially in spoken language.

Dialects

In addition to the standard variety, in everyday life, most Austrians speak one of several Upper German dialects, including Bavarian and Alemannic. These dialects are traditionally spoken but rarely written in Austria. The various dialects have been influenced by contact with non-Germanic linguistic groups, such as Slovene and Czech.

Austrians voted to become part of Germany in 1938

On March 11, 1938, Nazi Germany annexed its neighbouring country of Austria. This event is known as the Anschluss, a German word that means "connection" or "joining". The annexation was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion, and it was widely popular in both Germany and Austria.

The Anschluss was not inevitable, but certain historical factors and events facilitated the process. Between the World Wars, Austria was a country of approximately 6.5 million people, most of whom considered themselves ethnically German. Discussions and debates about Austria's role in a German nation-state dated back to the 19th century. The idea of uniting all ethnic Germans into one nation-state, known as the "Greater German solution", was promoted by the Austrian Empire and its supporters. However, the "Lesser German solution", which advocated for uniting only the northern German states and excluding Austria, was favoured by the Kingdom of Prussia and its supporters.

Adolf Hitler and the Nazis wanted to redraw the map of post-World War I Europe, considering the postwar international borders unfair and illegitimate. They claimed that Germans had been denied the right of self-determination, and redrawing Europe's borders would allow them to achieve two main goals: unite all Germans in a Nazi German empire and acquire Lebensraum ("living space") in Eastern Europe. The annexation of Austria would be the first step towards realising these goals.

Hitler expressed his desire for an Austro-German union in his earliest writings and speeches. The first point of the Nazi Party Platform (1920) demanded "the union of all Germans in a Greater Germany (Großdeutschland) on the basis of the right of national self-determination." In his autobiography, "Mein Kampf", Hitler wrote:

> "The reunification [of Germany and Austria] is a life task to be carried out by all means! German-Austria must be restored to the great German Motherland... People of the same blood should be in the same REICH."

Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 and fully intended to bring about an Austro-German union. However, Germany was not yet militarily and diplomatically ready to carry out his foreign policy goals. Behind the scenes, the Nazi leadership began planning territorial expansion and a European war.

In Austria, the Nazi movement was weak, divided, and ineffective in the late 1920s and early 1930s. However, by 1931, the bulk of Austrian Nazis recognised Hitler as their leader. As his popularity in Germany increased, so did the support for Austrian Nazis, especially after he became chancellor in 1933. Austrian politics at the time was characterised by infighting and political violence, and the rise of the Nazis further destabilised the situation.

In June 1933, the Dollfuss regime banned the Austrian Nazi Party and its affiliates, making the movement illegal in Austria. However, Austrian Nazis continued to operate illegally, and thousands fled across the border into Germany, where they formed the paramilitary unit known as the Austrian Legion. Despite the ban, Austrian Nazis continued their propaganda and terror campaign, staging disruptive protests and clashing with political opponents and the police.

In July 1934, Austrian Nazis attempted a coup, during which they shot and killed Chancellor Dollfuss. However, the majority of Austrians remained loyal to the government, and the coup attempt failed. This failed coup made it clear that the Nazis would have to adopt a more patient approach to gain control of Austria.

In February 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg met with Hitler and was forced to sign the Berchtesgaden Agreement, which undermined Austrian sovereignty and independence. On March 9, Schuschnigg attempted to assert Austrian independence by calling for a plebiscite (referendum) on the issue. However, on March 11, Hitler gave the Austrian government a series of ultimatums, demanding that Schuschnigg cancel the plebiscite, resign, and appoint the Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart as the new chancellor. Faced with the threat of a German military invasion, Schuschnigg gave in to Hitler's demands.

On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed the Austrian border and were greeted with cheers and flowers by the Austrians. That same day, Seyss-Inquart was appointed chancellor of Austria and announced a new cabinet filled with Austrian Nazis. On March 13, Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany. This law, sometimes called the Anschluss law, gave the appearance of legality to the annexation, even though Austria had never been part of the German Empire.

To legitimise their military action, the Nazis organised a referendum on April 10, 1938. More than 99% of the Austrian population voted in favour of the Anschluss. However, it is important to note that the vote was not anonymous, and opponents did not dare to vote against it. The high percentage of support for the Anschluss was likely due to the lack of secrecy in the voting process.

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany had far-reaching consequences. Austrian and German Nazis carried out the Nazification of all aspects of Austrian life, and many Austrians participated enthusiastically. Austrians persecuted the country's Jewish population, enacted Nazi policies, and fought in World War II. Austrians also participated in the mass murder of Europe's Jews. The country of Austria ceased to exist, and it became a province of Nazi Germany, initially known as the Ostmark.

Austria was part of Germany for most of its history

Austria was not part of Germany for most of its history. However, the two countries do share a close historical and cultural relationship, with German being the official language of both countries.

In early history, the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians) established the Duchy of Bavaria, which was ruled by Francia of West Germanic Franks from 555 to 843 and included the March of Pannonia, which would become Austria in c. 970. Later, the Bavarian Austria came under East Francia (Kingdom of Germany) from 843 to 962. It then separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156.

From 1156 to 1806, Austria (not including its non-German lands) 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. Austria was part of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866 and led it.

In 1866, Austria was firstly separated from Germany, and the German Confederation was dissolved. In 1867, the multi-ethnic Austro-Hungarian Empire was established and led by Austria. It was rivalled by the North German Confederation from 1866 to 1871 and the German Empire led by the Kingdom of Prussia.

In 1918, after the end of World War I and with the fall of the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in a bid for union with Germany. This action was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919), created by the winners of World War I against both Germany and Austria.

In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what would come to be called the Anschluss. Following the fact that Austria under Allied control claimed independence to be secondly separated from Germany on 27 April 1945, the German identity in Austria has been weakened. The 1955 Austrian State Treaty, which let Austria gain power from the Allied occupying the country, also banned the reunification of Germany and Austria.

Austria's sovereignty was established after World War I

In the late Iron Age, Austria was occupied by the Hallstatt Celtic culture, and from around 800 to 400 BC, it was a Celtic kingdom known as Noricum. The lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire in the 1st century BC, and in the 6th century, the Germanic Bavarii occupied these lands until they fell to the Frankish Empire in the 9th century.

The name Ostarrîchi (Austria) has been in use since 996 AD, when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. From 1156, it became an independent duchy (later an archduchy) of the Holy Roman Empire.

Over the centuries, Austria's territory changed hands and expanded, and it was dominated by various houses and empires, including the House of Habsburg and the Holy Roman Empire. In 1806, Emperor Francis II of Austria dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, and Austria became the Austrian Empire.

In 1867, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary, known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This marked the last phase in the constitutional evolution of the Habsburg monarchy. The Empire was a multi-national constitutional monarchy in Central Europe, consisting of two sovereign states with a single monarch who was titled both Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.

However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed after World War I in 1918, and Austria was reduced to a rump state. It briefly adopted the name the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919. The First Austrian Republic was founded in the same year.

After World War I, the Allies recognised Austria as a victim of Nazi aggression and treated it as a liberated and independent country. The Austrian State Treaty, also known as the Austrian Independence Treaty, was signed in 1955 and established Austria as a sovereign state. The treaty came into force on 27 July 1955, and the last occupation troops left on 25 October that year.

Austrians don't identify as German anymore

Austria was part of Germany for most of its history, but after World War I, it began to establish itself as a sovereign nation. Austrian German is the official language of Austria and is mutually intelligible with Standard German, but there are key vocabulary differences, and Austrian German is generally much softer and more melodic. Austrian German also uses 'sein' ('to be') instead of 'haben' ('to have') in the perfect tense, and the diminutive form is different, with Austrians adding '-el' and '-erl' to the end of words instead of '-chen' or '-lein'.

There are also regional dialects within both Germany and Austria that can trip people up when they visit. For instance, the Viennese dialect is more impenetrable to German speakers, and the Austrians in the rural west of the Austrian Alps sound very different from the Viennese!

In the past, Austrians did consider themselves German, and German nationalism was a political ideology and historical current in Austrian politics. It arose in the 19th century as a nationalist movement amongst the German-speaking population of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It favoured close ties with Germany and the possibility of the incorporation of Austria into a Greater Germany. However, after World War II, German nationalism and the idea of political union with Germany became unpopular due to their association with Nazism and the rising tide of a civic Austrian national identity.

Nowadays, Austrians are very vehement about Austria and Germany being two different things. In the words of one Austrian: "Most of the Austrians I know are very vehement about it. So much so in fact it is getting a bit old to me, it is like some Austrians are always comparing themselves to us and trying to think of how they are completely different (and of course better)."

Frequently asked questions