Austria's Reparations: The Cost Of Post-War Reconciliation

After World War I, the Austrian part of former Austria-Hungary had to pay reparations, although the exact amount is unclear. The treaties of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Trianon, and Sèvres acknowledged that Austria did not have the resources to pay reparations, and delayed the establishment of a final figure until the Reparation Commission was established. After World War II, Austria and Germany jointly paid compensation to surviving Polish, non-Jewish victims of slave labour in Nazi Germany.

Austria-Hungary didn't exist after WWI

After World War I, the Austrian part of former Austria-Hungary had to pay reparations, although the exact amount is unclear. The treaties of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Trianon, and Sèvres acknowledged that Austria, Hungary, and Turkey did not have the resources to pay reparations, and delayed the establishment of a final figure until the Reparation Commission was established. Hungary was supposed to pay 200 million gold crowns, but due to financial instability, the payment was never made.

Austria-Hungary did not exist after World War I, so technically it did not pay reparations as a unified entity. However, both Austria and Hungary ended up paying some reparations, although the amounts were relatively small compared to Germany. The allies recognised that neither country had the ability to pay substantial reparations, and they were also viewed as being less responsible for the war than Germany. By World War II, neither Austria nor Hungary had paid much in reparations due to their inability to pay, economic depression, and cuts to the amount they owed.

Austria's reparations after WWI

After World War I, the Austrian part of former Austria-Hungary had to pay reparations, although the exact amount is unclear. The treaties of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Trianon, and Sèvres acknowledged that Austria, Hungary, and Turkey did not have the resources to pay reparations, and delayed the establishment of a final figure until the Reparation Commission was established.

Hungary was required to pay 200 million gold crowns in reparations, but due to the turmoil of communist revolution and an unstable financial status, they never paid. Similarly, Austria was unable to pay a significant amount in reparations due to their financial situation, and the fact that the Allies viewed Austria as being swept along in Germany's wake and not as responsible.

Austria did lose several territories to Italy and Yugoslavia as part of the peace contract of Saint-Germain. Additionally, after World War II, Austria only had to give 60% of the produced oil to the Soviet Union, which was a much smaller concession than what was demanded of other defeated nations.

Austria's reparations after WWII

After World War I, the Austrian part of Austria-Hungary had to pay reparations, although the exact amount is unclear. The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye acknowledged that Austria did not have the resources to pay reparations, and delayed the establishment of a final figure. After World War II, Austria only had to give 60% of the produced oil to the Soviet Union. Between 1992 and 2006, Germany and Austria jointly paid compensation to surviving Polish, non-Jewish victims of slave labour in Nazi Germany and also to Polish orphans and children who had been subject to forced labour.

Austria's inability to pay reparations

The treaties of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Trianon, and Sèvres acknowledged that Austria did not have the resources to pay reparations after World War I. However, the Austrian part of former Austria-Hungary did have to pay reparations, as well as losing several territories to Italy and Yugoslavia. After World War II, Austria only had to give 60% of the oil it produced to the Soviet Union. Between 1992 and 2006, Germany and Austria jointly paid compensation to surviving Polish, non-Jewish victims of slave labour in Nazi Germany and also to Polish orphans and children who had been subject to forced labour.

Austria's joint reparations with Germany

After World War I, the Austrian part of former Austria-Hungary had to pay reparations, although the exact amount is unclear. The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye acknowledged that Austria did not have the resources to pay reparations, and delayed the establishment of a final figure until the Reparation Commission was established. However, it is known that Austria lost several territories to Italy and Yugoslavia as part of the peace contract of Saint-Germain.

After World War II, Austria was required to give 60% of its produced oil to the Soviet Union. Between 1992 and 2006, Germany and Austria jointly paid compensation to surviving Polish, non-Jewish victims of slave labour in Nazi Germany and also to Polish orphans and children who had been subject to forced labour.

Frequently asked questions