Austria: Germany's Puppet Or Partner?

Austria and Germany have a long and complex shared history. Both countries have a common language and culture and fought two world wars together. However, the relationship between the two nations has been fraught with tension and rivalry, particularly over questions of national identity and sovereignty.

Austria was a part of the Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806 and was later included in the German Confederation until 1866. The idea of unifying all Germans into one nation-state, known as Grossdeutschland, has been a subject of debate since the 19th century. While there was strong support for unification in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center, it was met with opposition from those who wished to preserve Austria's independence and distinct national identity.

In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria in what became known as the Anschluss. This event marked a significant breach of the post-World War I international order and was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. The annexation was widely popular in both countries, but it also sparked violence against Austria's Jewish population and led to the Nazification of Austrian society.

Following World War II, Austria regained its independence and developed a separate national identity from Germany. Today, Austria and Germany maintain close relations and are members of the European Union, sharing a common currency and a border with free movement. However, the legacy of their shared history, including the complexities of World War II, continues to shape their relationship.

The Anschluss: Austria's annexation into Germany

The Anschluss, or the annexation of Austria into Germany, was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II. The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, often referred to as "Greater Germany," had been proposed since the unification of Germany in 1871, which excluded Austria. This proposal gained support after World War I, when the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed and Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria, seeking union with Germany. However, the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, created by the victors of World War I, forbade such a union and stripped Austria of some of its territories.

In the 1920s, the proposal for the Anschluss had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center. However, over time, popular support for unification faded, although it remained a concept in Austrian political discourse. With the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis to power in Germany in 1933, the desire for unification became closely associated with the Nazi agenda. For the Nazis, the annexation of Austria was an integral part of their "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept, which aimed to incorporate as many ethnic Germans outside of Germany as possible into a "Greater Germany."

In early 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, facing increasing pressure from pro-unification activists, announced a referendum on a possible union with Germany, to be held on March 13, 1938. Hitler, portraying this as defying the popular will, threatened an invasion and pressured Schuschnigg to resign. On March 11, the day before the planned referendum, the German Army crossed the border into Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military. On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, and Hitler accompanied them, receiving an enthusiastic welcome. A plebiscite held on April 10, 1938, with coercion and manipulation, resulted in a 99.7% approval for the Anschluss. Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II, when the Allies declared the annexation void and reestablished an independent Austria.

Austria's role in World War I

Austria-Hungary's role in World War I was significant, as the assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 was the main short-term cause of the war. At the start of World War I, Austria-Hungary joined Germany, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire to form the Central Powers.

Austria-Hungary participated in some of the most significant battles of the war, including the Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive, the Battles of the Isonzo, and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. The Austro-Hungarian army was divided into two main groups: the main armies of Austria and Hungary. The empire struggled to adequately supply and prepare its military forces, and its multi-ethnic nature created division within the ranks, making it difficult for commanders to organize and deploy troops effectively.

Austria-Hungary's primary focus at the start of the war was invading Serbia and seeking revenge for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. The Serbian Campaign of World War I was the first major military activity of the Austro-Hungarian forces, and they made three failed invasion attempts before eventually defeating Serbia with the support of German and Bulgarian forces.

Another important front for Austria-Hungary was the Eastern Front, where they fought against Russia. The Battle of Galicia, which took place in the early weeks of the war, was a significant defeat for the Austro-Hungarians and a crucial Russian victory. The Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive, a joint operation with Germany, was a major victory for the Central Powers, forcing the Russians to retreat.

On the Italian Front, Italy officially joined the war on the side of the Allied Powers in 1915 and fought against Austria-Hungary. The Battles of the Isonzo were a series of brutal and difficult conflicts fought in the mountainous terrain along the border. The final significant battle of World War I on the Italian Front was the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, which resulted in Austria-Hungary accepting defeat and signing the Armistice of Villa Giusti on November 3, 1918.

Overall, World War I had a significant impact on Austria-Hungary, with heavy losses and a struggling economy. The war also exacerbated internal divisions within the empire, leading to its dissolution at the end of the conflict.

Austria's role in World War II

Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany in 1938, in an event known as the Anschluss. This was seen as a reunification, as the two countries shared a history and language. The Anschluss was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into the German Reich on 12 March 1938.

The idea of a unified Germany and Austria ("Anschluss") had been around since the unification of Germany in 1871, which excluded Austria. Support for the unification came from the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not economically viable. The Nazis also sought to incorporate as many ethnic Germans outside Germany as possible into a "Greater Germany".

Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss opposed unification, and was assassinated by Austrian Nazis in 1934. His successor, Kurt Schuschnigg, also wished for Austria to remain independent, but was pressured by Hitler to accept Nazi ministers into his government. Schuschnigg planned a referendum on Austrian independence, to be held on 13 March 1938. However, on 11 March, Hitler demanded his resignation and the appointment of a pro-Nazi politician, Arthur Seyss-Inquart, as chancellor. The next day, German troops entered Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military.

A plebiscite was held on 10 April, with 99.7% approval for the unification. However, the ballot was not secret, and threats and coercion were used to manipulate the vote. While the true opinions of the Austrian people are unknown, it is estimated that about 70% would have voted for Austrian independence.

During the few weeks between the Anschluss and the plebiscite, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, and Austrian Jews, imprisoning or sending them to concentration camps. Within a few days of 12 March, 70,000 people had been arrested. The Mauthausen concentration camp was established in the summer of 1938, and became the main Nazi camp in Austria.

Austrians loyally supported Germany in the early years of World War II. However, after the German defeat at Stalingrad in early 1943, popular support for the war and the Anschluss began to erode. Allied advances in Italy in 1943 enabled bombers to attack Austrian industrial and transportation centres. The Red Army entered Austrian territory on 30 March 1945, and captured Vienna on 13 April. On 27 April 1945, a provisional Austrian government declared independence from Nazi Germany.

Austria's relationship with Germany today

Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history, with German being the official language of both countries. Both countries are full members of the Council of Europe and the European Union. They also share a common culture and fought in two world wars together.

However, their relationship is complex and tortured, and Austrians and Germans have never really meshed. The legacy of World War II still casts a long shadow over the relationship. While Germany is considered a model for how a country should confront its past, Austria, which clung for decades to the myth that it was Hitler's "first victim," was long regarded as the counter-example. Austria is the one country in Europe that Germans are free to openly criticize or even mock without fear of international protest.

Austria and Germany have also differed over how to tackle the refugee crisis. German politicians have criticised Austria's refusal to take in some of the refugees stranded on the Greek island of Lesvos.

Since 2004, meetings of German-speaking countries have been held annually with six participants, including Germany and Austria. Both countries have embassies in each other's capitals.

Austria's relationship with other countries in the EU

Austria has a close relationship with Germany due to their shared history, with German being the official language of both countries. German is also one of the official languages of the EU. The ancestors of Austrians were the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians). In early history, the Baiuvarii established the Duchy of Bavaria, which was ruled by Francia of West Germanic Franks from 555 to 843 and included the March of Pannonia that 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, and 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 has been a member of the EU since 1995 and has 20 representatives in the European Parliament. Austria ranks fifth in the EU in terms of GDP per capita. Austria is also a member of the Eurozone and adopted the Euro as its legal currency in 1999. Austria is a member of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement between it and other EU countries.

Austria is not a member of NATO, instead declaring its neutrality in 1955. However, it does participate in the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy and joined NATO's Partnership for Peace in 1995. Austria also hosts the International Atomic Energy Agency and several other UN bodies, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Austria has strong bilateral relations with many other EU countries, including:

• Belgium: Belgium was once an Austrian possession, and the two countries became full members of the EU at the same time.
• Bulgaria: Austria supported Bulgaria's accession to the EU and Schengen Area.
• Croatia: Austria supported Croatia's accession to the EU.
• Cyprus: Austria was one of the first countries to participate in the UN Peace-Keeping Force in Cyprus and actively supports the Republic of Cyprus over the Turkish occupation of the island.
• Czech Republic: Austria and the Czech Republic share a 362km border and are both full members of the EU.
• Denmark: Austria and Denmark are both full members of the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the EU.
• Estonia: Austria and Estonia are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Finland: Austria recognised Finland's independence in 1918, and both countries became members of the EU at the same time.
• France: Austria and France have had diplomatic relations since the Middle Ages and are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Greece: Austria and Greece are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Hungary: Austria and Hungary have a long shared history, and both countries are full members of the EU.
• Ireland: Austria and Ireland are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Italy: Austria and Italy are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Poland: Austria and Poland are both full members of the EU.
• Romania: Austria supported Romania's accession to the EU and the Schengen Area.
• Slovakia: Austria and Slovakia are both full members of the EU and share a 91km border.
• Slovenia: Austria and Slovenia are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Spain: Austria and Spain are both full members of the EU and the Council of Europe.
• Sweden: Austria and Sweden became members of the EU at the same time and are both full members of the Council of Europe.
• United Kingdom: Austria and the UK are both full members of the Council of Europe.

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