The Nazi Occupation Of Austria: A Lengthy Dark Era

Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945, when Allied-occupied Austria declared independence. This period is known as the Anschluss, and it was marked by the enthusiastic support of most Austrians for the Nazis. In this article, we will explore the events of this time, including the role of Austrians in the Nazi administration and military, and the impact of Nazi occupation on the country.

The Anschluss

Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945, when Allied-occupied Austria declared independence from Nazi Germany. This period is known as the Anschluss, which means 'annexation'.

In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government by force and unite their nation with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg met with Hitler in the hopes of reasserting his country's independence but was forced to name several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. On March 9, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, but before the plebiscite could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11. In his resignation address, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German 'advance' into the country.

Nazi Germany's troops entering Austria in 1938 received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. Throughout World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces. Other Austrians participated in the Nazi administration, from Nazi death camp personnel to senior Nazi leadership; the majority of the bureaucrats who implemented the Final Solution were Austrian. After World War II, many Austrians sought comfort in the myth of Austria as being the first victim of the Nazis. This slogan was first used at the Moscow Conference in 1943 and went on to become the ideological basis for Austria and the national self-consciousness of Austrians during the periods of the allied occupation of 1945-1955 and the sovereign state of the Second Austrian Republic (1955–1980s).

The Austrian population's support for the Nazis

Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945.

Nazi Germany's troops entering Austria in 1938 received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. The Austrian population was given no choice and was subjected to extensive intimidation and suppression of the political opposition. However, many Austrians welcomed the Anschluss, including Karl Renner, an Austrian socialist politician who was the provisional prime minister of the first post-Nazi government appointed by Joseph Stalin. Thereafter, Austria was an integral part of the Third Reich, with 700,000 people, or 10% of the population, joining the Nazi Party. The Wehrmacht drafted more than 1.3 million Austrians between 1938 and 1945, 242,000 of whom never came back home. Austrians also served loyally as soldiers from Germany proper and were just as responsible for Nazi atrocities on the Eastern Front. Throughout World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces. Other Austrians participated in the Nazi administration, from Nazi death camp personnel to senior Nazi leadership; the majority of the bureaucrats who implemented the Final Solution were Austrian. Austrians comprised 8% of Nazi Germany's population, 13% of the SS and 40% of the staff at death camps; but 75% of concentration camp commanders were Austrian.

After World War II, many Austrians sought comfort in the myth of Austria as being the first victim of the Nazis. This was a political slogan first used at the Moscow Conference in 1943, which went on to become the ideological basis for Austria and the national self-consciousness of Austrians during the periods of the allied occupation of 1945-1955 and the sovereign state of the Second Austrian Republic (1955–1980s). The founders of the Second Austrian Republic interpreted this slogan to mean that the Anschluss in 1938 was an act of military aggression by Nazi Germany. Austrian statehood had been interrupted and therefore the newly revived Austria of 1945 could not and should not be responsible in any way for the Nazis' crimes.

Austria's role in the Third Reich

Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945. This period is known as the Anschluss, which means 'annexation'. The annexation of Austria was supported by most of the Austrian population, including Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, who was bullied into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. After the annexation, 700,000 Austrians, or 10% of the population, joined the Nazi Party. More than 1.3 million Austrians were drafted into the Wehrmacht between 1938 and 1945, 242,000 of whom never returned home. During World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces, and many others participated in the Nazi administration, from death camp personnel to senior Nazi leadership. The majority of the bureaucrats who implemented the Final Solution were Austrian.

After World War II, many Austrians sought comfort in the myth of Austria as the 'first victim' of the Nazis. This slogan was first used at the Moscow Conference in 1943 and became the ideological basis for Austria during the period of Allied occupation from 1945-1955. The founders of the Second Austrian Republic interpreted this slogan to mean that the Anschluss was an act of military aggression by Nazi Germany, and therefore Austria could not be held responsible for the Nazis' crimes.

The Soviet occupation of Austria

Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945. This period is known as the Anschluss, and it was marked by the enthusiastic support of most of the Austrian population. More than 1.3 million Austrians were drafted into the Wehrmacht between 1938 and 1945, with 242,000 of them never returning home.

In 1945, Soviet military tribunals arrested around 800 Austrian civilians during the initial eight months of occupation. The charges for 400 of them are known, and include belonging to the Nazi Werewolf resistance group, espionage, maltreatment of Soviet POWs and slave labourers, weapons possession, war crimes, violent acts, and selling bad alcohol to Soviet troops.

After World War II, many Austrians sought comfort in the myth of Austria as the first victim of the Nazis. This slogan was first used at the Moscow Conference in 1943 and became the ideological basis for Austria during the Allied occupation of 1945-1955.

The Moscow Conference and its impact on Austrian ideology

The Moscow Conference of 1943 was a series of meetings between the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, the United States, China and the Soviet Union. The Conference took place from October 18 to November 11 at the Kremlin.

The Moscow Declaration, issued by the foreign ministers of United States President Franklin Roosevelt, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of the United Kingdom, and Premier Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union, included four sections: Declaration of Four Nations on General Security, Declaration Regarding Italy, Declaration on Austria, and Statement on Atrocities.

The Declaration on Austria stated that Austria, the first free country to fall victim to Hitlerite aggression, should be liberated from German domination. The governments of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the United States of America agreed that the annexation imposed on Austria by Germany on March 15, 1938, was null and void, and that they were in no way bound by any changes effected in Austria since that date. They declared that they wished to see a free and independent Austria re-established, thereby opening the way for the Austrian people themselves, as well as neighbouring states, to find the political and economic security that is the basis for lasting peace.

The Moscow Conference's Declaration on Austria affirmed the commitment of the Allied powers to the liberation and independence of Austria from Nazi rule. This declaration sent a strong message to the Austrian people that their country would be freed from German domination and that they would have the right to choose their own form of government. It also signalled to the Axis powers that the Allies were united in their determination to end the war and establish a lasting peace based on freedom and security for all nations.

Frequently asked questions