Austria's Ethnic Identity: Slavic Or Germanic?

Austrians have historically been regarded as Germanic, and they speak a dialect of German. However, due to their geographic location, they do have a higher degree of Slavic ancestry than other Germanic peoples. This is partly due to ancient admixture with neighbouring countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Slovakia, and partly due to immigration during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austrians also have Celtic heritage, as the territory of modern-day Austria was once inhabited by the Celtic kingdom of Noricum.

Austrians speak a German dialect

The standard German spoken in Austria is called Austrian German and is defined by the Austrian Dictionary, published under the authority of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.

Austrians historically regarded themselves as Germans and viewed themselves as such. The Austrian lands, including Bohemia, were part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. However, after World War II, Austrians developed their own separate and distinct national identity. Today, the vast majority of Austrians do not identify as German.

In addition to Germanic influences, Austrians have also been influenced by their Slavic neighbours. During the Migration Period (c. 6th century), Austria's territories were settled by Germanic groups in the west and Slavic groups in the east. In the 8th century, the former territories of Raetia and Noricum fell under Carolingian rule and were divided into the duchies of Swabia, Bavaria, and the principality of Carantania.

While Austrians have historically spoken German, the standard Austrian German taught in schools differs from the local dialects spoken as native languages. These dialects are of the Austro-Bavarian and Allemannic families. The Alemannic dialects are spoken in Vorarlberg and western Tirol, while the Austro-Bavarian dialects are spoken in Vienna, Burgenland, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, Tirol, Kärnten, and parts of Steiermark.

Austrians, therefore, speak a German dialect, specifically, Austro-Bavarian, which differs from standard German. However, their unique national identity, geographic location, and historical influences have resulted in a distinct culture and language variation that sets them apart from their Germanic and Slavic neighbours.

Austria's history has been greatly affected by Germanic influence

Austrians have historically been regarded as Germans and viewed themselves as such. The Austrian lands, including Bohemia, were part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, which resulted in Prussia expelling the Austrian Empire from the Confederation. The English term "Austrians" was applied to the population of Habsburg Austria from the 17th or 18th century. Subsequently, during the 19th century, it referred to the citizens of the Empire of Austria (1804-1867) and, from 1867 until 1918, to the citizens of Cisleithania.

After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 at the end of World War I, Austria briefly used the name "Republic of German-Austria" in an attempt to unite with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919). The First Austrian Republic was founded in 1919. However, after the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe, the union with Germany became associated with Nazism, resulting in Austrians developing their own separate and distinct national identity. Today, the vast majority of Austrians do not identify as German.

The territory of what is now Austria was inhabited by various groups throughout history, including Celtic tribes, the Romans, Germanic groups such as the Bavarians, and Slavic groups. In the 8th century, the former territories of Raetia and Noricum fell under Carolingian rule and were divided into the duchies of Swabia, Bavaria, and the principality of Carantania. The "East March" or "March of Austria" became the easternmost portion of the Holy Roman Empire, bordering Moravia to the north and the Kingdom of Hungary to the east. As a result, the national character of the Austro-Bavarian-speaking majority population of Austria was influenced by their neighbours, including West Slavs (Czechs and Slovaks) to the north and South Slavs (Slovenes, Carinthian Slovenes, and Burgenland Croats) to the south.

The unification of the various territories of Austria was a gradual process during the High and Late Middle Ages, initially under the rule of the House of Babenberg and later the House of Habsburg. The acquisition of the lands of the crowns of Hungary and Bohemia in 1526 increased the political prestige and power of the Habsburgs. The common German identity of lands such as Carinthia, Styria, and Tyrol, as well as the ruling dynasty, made it easier for these lands to accept the central government established in Vienna in the mid-18th century.

The German dialect spoken in Austria, known as Austrian German or Austro-Bavarian, is considered a dialect of Bavarian, which is spoken in South Germany. The standard Austrian German is defined by the Austrian Dictionary, published under the authority of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts, and Culture. However, in daily life, Austrians typically use local dialects of Austro-Bavarian or Allemannic, rather than standard Austrian German.

In summary, while Austria has been influenced by various cultures throughout its history, including Slavic, Celtic, and Roman, the Germanic influence has been significant, particularly in terms of language, culture, and historical political affiliations. However, Austrians today have developed their own distinct national identity separate from Germany.

Austrians are not Slavs

In the 12th century, the Marcha Orientalis (under the Babenbergs) became independent of Bavaria. What is known today as Lower Austria corresponds to the Marcha Orientalis, while Upper Austria corresponds to the eastern half of the core territory of Bavaria. The territory of what is now Austria was part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War in 1866, which resulted in Prussia expelling the Austrian Empire from the Confederation. Thus, when Germany was founded as a nation-state in 1871, Austria was not a part of it.

After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 at the end of World War I, Austria briefly used the name the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919). The First Austrian Republic was founded in the same year.

Today, the vast majority of Austrians do not identify as German. While Austrians have historically spoken German, the standard Austrian German is quite distinct from standard German. In terms of native language, Austrians tend to use local dialects of the Austro-Bavarian and Allemannic families.

Austrians have a mixture of Germanic, Slavic, and Celtic ancestry and are most closely related to people from the Czech Republic and eastern Germany.

Austria's territory was once inhabited by Slavs

Austrians are citizens and nationals of Austria. Historically, Austrians were regarded as Germans and viewed themselves as such. The Austrian lands, including Bohemia, were part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. However, after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 and the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, Austrians developed their own separate and distinct national identity. Today, the vast majority of Austrians do not identify as German.

The territory of what is now Austria was inhabited by various groups throughout history, including the Celts, the Romans, Germanic groups, and Slavic groups. During the Migration Period (c. 6th century), Bavarians and other Germanic groups settled in the western regions of Raetia, Noricum, and Pannonia, while Slavic groups (principality Carantania), Huns, and Avars settled in the east.

In the 8th century, the former territories of Raetia and Noricum came under Carolingian rule and were divided into the duchies of Swabia, Bavaria, and the principality of Carantania. The "East March" or "March of Austria" became the easternmost portion of the Holy Roman Empire after the defeat of the Magyars in 955. This region bordered Moravia to the north and the Kingdom of Hungary to the east.

While Austrians are predominantly Germanic, they do have higher levels of Slavic ancestry compared to other Germanic peoples due to their geographic location. There was likely ancient admixture with neighbouring Slavic groups such as the Czechs, Hungarians, and Slovaks, even before modern borders were established. Additionally, there may have been further immigration of Slavic groups during the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The national character of the Austro-Bavarian-speaking majority population of Austria was influenced by their proximity to West Slavs (Czechs and Slovaks) to the north and South Slavs (Slovenes, Carinthian Slovenes, and Burgenland Croats) to the south. This influence is reflected in Austrian music, which was influenced by Slavic and Hungarian folk forms during the Baroque period.

Austrians have a mixture of Germanic, Slavic, and Celtic ancestry

In the 8th century, the former territories of Raetia and Noricum fell under Carolingian rule and were divided into the duchies of Swabia, Bavaria, and the principality of Carantania. Pannonia, until the end of the 8th century, was part of the Avar Khaganate. The "East March" (Ostmark) during the 9th century was the boundary region separating East Francia from the Avars and the Magyars.

The site of Vienna has been settled since Celtic times (as Vindobona), but the city only rose to importance in the High Middle Ages as the chief settlement of the March of Austria. After the defeat of the Magyars at the Battle of Lechfeld in 955, the East March or March of Austria became the easternmost portion of the Holy Roman Empire, bordering Moravia to the north and the Kingdom of Hungary to the east. As a result, the national character of the Austro-Bavarian-speaking majority population of Austria throughout their early modern and modern history remained characterized by their neighbourhood to the West Slavs (Czechs, Slovaks) to the north, the South Slavs (Slovenes, Carinthian Slovenes, Burgenland Croats) to the south, and the Hungarians to the east.

In the Baroque period, Slavic and Hungarian folk forms influenced Austrian music. Today, the largest immigrant groups in Austria are Turks, followed by people from Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, and Poland.

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