Austria's Independence: A Historical Overview

Austria's road to independence has been a rocky one. The country was annexed by the Third Reich in 1938, ceasing to exist as an independent state. After World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened and the country became an independent republic once more in 1955. However, this was not the first time Austria had become independent. In 1918, the German members of the Reichsrat of Austria formed themselves into the National Assembly for German-Austria, and proclaimed an independent state.

The Anschluss

Austria first became independent on 3 November 1918, when the Austrian-Hungarian Empire concluded an armistice with the Allied powers. This was followed by the abdication of Emperor Charles I on 12 November and the proclamation of an Austrian Republic on 13 November.

However, in 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany. On 9 March 1938, Kurt Schuschnigg announced a referendum on Austria's independence from Germany, to be held on 13 March. On 12 March, Austrian Nazis took over the government and German troops occupied the country, preventing the referendum from taking place. On 13 March, the Anschluss (literally, 'joining' or 'connection') was officially declared, and Austria ceased to exist as an independent country. Two days later, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler announced the "reunification" of his home country with the "rest of the German Reich" in Vienna. The Anschluss was supported by a large majority of Austrians.

After the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. Ten years after the war, Austria again became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic in 1955.

The Austrian Republic

Austria has had a complex history, with its territory undergoing drastic changes over time. The Austrian Republic was first proclaimed on 12 November 1918, following the abdication of Emperor Charles I the day before. The National Assembly had already declared German-Austria an independent state on 30 October 1918, and on 12 November, the National Assembly resolved that "German-Austria is a democratic republic" and that "German-Austria is a component part of the German republic".

However, in 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, meant that Austria ceased to exist as an independent country.

After the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened, and in 1955, Austria again became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.

The National Assembly

On 21 October 1918, the 210 German members of the Reichsrat of Austria formed themselves into the National Assembly for German-Austria. On 30 October, they proclaimed this an independent state under the direction of the State Council, which was composed of the leaders of the three main parties (Social Democrats, Christian Socialists, and German Nationalists) and other elected members.

Austria's independence was short-lived, however. In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians. On 12 March 1938, Austrian Nazis took over the government, while German troops occupied the country. Two days later, Hitler announced what he called the "reunification" of his home country with the "rest of the German Reich" on Vienna's Heldenplatz.

After the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. Ten years after the war, Austria again became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic in 1955.

The Second Austrian Republic

Austria was first proclaimed an independent republic on 12 November 1918, the day after Emperor Charles I abdicated. However, this was short-lived. In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians.

On 12 March 1938, Austrian Nazis took over the government, while German troops occupied the country. The Anschluss, or 'joining' of Austria to Germany, was officially declared on 13 March 1938. Hitler referred to this as the 'reunification' of his home country with the 'rest of the German Reich'.

After the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. This led to the formation of the Second Austrian Republic.

The Treaty Establishing Friendly Relations

On 13 March 1938, Austria was annexed by the Third Reich and ceased to be an independent country. This was known as the Anschluss, or 'joining' or 'connection'. Austrian-born Adolf Hitler announced the "reunification" of his home country with the "rest of the German Reich".

However, after the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. In 1955, ten years after the Second World War, Austria became an independent republic once more as the Second Austrian Republic.

The United States recognised the Republic of Austria on 24 August 1921, with the signing of a Treaty Establishing Friendly Relations in Vienna. This was four years after Austria-Hungary had severed diplomatic relations with the United States, when the US declared war on Germany.

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