Nationalism's Impact: Austria's Story

Nationalism had a profound impact on Austria, particularly in the lead-up to World War I. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which encompassed modern-day Austria, Hungary, and several other Central and Eastern European states, faced increasing nationalist tensions as various ethnic groups within the empire sought to establish their own independent nations. This rise in nationalism ultimately contributed to the breakup of the empire and the emergence of rival nationalisms, such as Bavarian nationalism, which challenged the new Austrian Republic. Additionally, Austrian nationalism was promoted by the Dollfuss government in the 1930s, and the relationship between Austrian Catholicism, national identity, and fascism has been a source of controversy.

The rise of Engelbert Dollfuss and the Fatherland's Front

Engelbert Dollfuss was an Austrian politician who rose through the ranks of agrarian politics. He served as secretary of the Lower Austrian Peasant Federation, director of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, and minister of agriculture and forestry before becoming chancellor of Austria in 1932. Dollfuss's rise to power was marked by his conservative coalition government, which brought an end to interwar parliamentary politics by suspending parliament in March 1933 and banning competing parties from the left and right. He quickly put together an anti-socialist cabinet and, in 1933, banned the Communist Party and the Austrian branch of the National Socialist Party.

Dollfuss's political philosophy was rooted in the Catholic Church's Rerum Novarum (1891), which envisioned a return to a corporate society. This vision was reaffirmed by Pope Pius XI in his 1931 encyclical Quadragesimo Anno. With the post-Habsburg Republic of Austria (founded in 1918) lacking a strong "national" identity, political Catholicism became a central feature for German-speaking Austrian patriots looking to differentiate themselves from pan-German nationalists and socialists.

In 1933, Dollfuss formed the Fatherland Front, a political organisation that sought to replace political parties with a new social order built on seven overarching, harmoniously integrated professional and occupational bodies. The Fatherland Front was composed of conservatives, communists, left-wing Agrarians, Zveno, socialists, and some independent political figures. The front's influence grew as the military situation of Germany deteriorated.

Dollfuss's rise to power and the formation of the Fatherland Front had a significant impact on Austria. By suspending parliament and banning competing parties, Dollfuss ended the era of interwar parliamentary politics and established a new authoritarian constitution. This constitution gave the executive complete control over the legislative branch of government, solidifying the rule of Austrofascism.

The relationship between Austrian Catholicism, national identity, and fascism

Nationalism had a huge impact on Austria-Hungary in the lead-up to World War One. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was spread across a huge swathe of central and eastern Europe, encompassing the modern-day states of Austria and Hungary, as well as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia and parts of present Poland, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro.

The notion of a shared national identity was always going to be a problem given the disparate nature of the union and the number of ethnic groups involved – most of whom were keen to form their own nation. Poles should want an independent Poland, just as every true Serb, Croat, Czech or Slovak should demand independence. Nationalism was beginning to tear Austria-Hungary apart.

After the fall of Nazi Germany and the events of World War II, Austrians began to develop a more distinct national identity. The relationship between Austrian Catholicism, national identity, and fascism has been a source of controversy. With the rise of Engelbert Dollfuss to power in Austria in 1932 and the creation of the Fatherland's Front, the Dollfuss government promoted Austrian nationalism and claimed that Catholic Austria would not accept certain things. After World War I, Bavarian nationalism challenged the new Austrian Republic with proposals for Austria to join Bavaria.

The break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire

The Austro-Hungarian Empire was spread across a huge swathe of central and eastern Europe, encompassing the modern-day states of Austria and Hungary, as well as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia and parts of present Poland, Romania, Italy, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia and Montenegro. The notion of a shared national identity was always going to be a problem given the disparate nature of the union and the number of ethnic groups involved – most of whom were keen to form their own nation.

As World War One approached, nationalist voices began to insist that you couldn’t be both a good servant of the Kaiser and proud of Austria-Hungary and identify as a Czech or a Pole, for example. Poles should want an independent Poland, just as every true Serb, Croat, Czech or Slovak should demand independence. Nationalism was beginning to tear Austria-Hungary apart.

After the fall of Nazi Germany and the events of World War II, Austrians began to develop a more distinct national identity. With the rise of Engelbert Dollfuss to power in Austria in 1932 and the creation of the Fatherland's Front, the Dollfuss government promoted Austrian nationalism and claimed that Catholic Austria would not accept. Another rival nationalism emerged after the defeat of Austria-Hungary in World War I, Bavarian nationalism, which challenged the new Austrian Republic with proposals for Austria to join Bavaria.

The emergence of Bavarian nationalism

Nationalism had a significant impact on Austria, particularly in the lead-up to and aftermath of World War I. The Austro-Hungarian Empire, which encompassed modern-day Austria, Hungary, and several other Central and Eastern European states, faced increasing nationalist pressures as World War I approached. These nationalist voices challenged the idea of a shared national identity within the empire, insisting on the independence of various ethnic groups such as Poles, Serbs, Croats, Czechs, and Slovaks. This rise in nationalism contributed to the eventual breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

After the defeat of Austria-Hungary in World War I, a rival nationalism emerged: Bavarian nationalism. This movement challenged the new Austrian Republic, proposing that Austria should join Bavaria. The Bavarian government, particularly interested in incorporating the regions of North Tyrol and Upper Austria, found significant support among Austria's North Tyrolese, who declared their intention to join Bavaria. This issue, arising in the aftermath of World War I, highlighted the ongoing nationalist tensions within the region.

The Napoleonic Wars played a significant role in the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and the subsequent quest for a German nation-state in the 19th century. This period witnessed the emergence of German nationalism, which further complicated the political landscape.

Following World War II and the fall of Nazi Germany, Austrians began to develop a more distinct national identity, separate from German nationalism. The relationship between Austrian Catholicism, national identity, and fascism has been a source of controversy, influencing how Austrians perceived themselves in relation to their neighbouring countries.

Additionally, the rise of Engelbert Dollfuss and the creation of the Fatherland's Front in 1932 promoted Austrian nationalism, emphasising the uniqueness of Catholic Austria within the broader context of Europe. These factors contributed to a growing sense of Austrian nationalism, distinct from other nationalist movements in the region.

The impact of World War One

Nationalism had a significant impact on Austria during and after World War One. In the years leading up to the war, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which encompassed modern-day Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Croatia, and parts of several other countries, was already facing challenges due to the rise of nationalism among its diverse ethnic groups. Many of these groups sought to form their own independent nations, and as World War One approached, nationalist voices became more insistent on this point, creating divisions within the empire.

During the war, these nationalist sentiments continued to grow, and the idea of a shared national identity within the empire became increasingly untenable. The war also weakened the empire, making it more vulnerable to nationalist pressures and contributing to its eventual dissolution.

After the war, with the defeat of Austria-Hungary, rival nationalisms emerged, including Bavarian nationalism, which challenged the new Austrian Republic and sought to incorporate regions of North Tyrol and Upper Austria into Bavaria. This posed a serious issue for Austria, as significant numbers of North Tyrolese expressed their desire to join Bavaria.

Frequently asked questions