Austria's Post-Wwii Years: Occupied Or Liberated?

Austria was indeed occupied by the Allies after World War II. The country was divided into four occupation zones, jointly occupied by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France. Vienna, the capital, was also subdivided, with the central district collectively administered by the Allied Control Council. This occupation lasted from 1945 until 1955, when the Austrian State Treaty came into force and the last occupation troops left.

The Austrian victim theory

This narrative allowed Austria to deflect guilt and strengthen its position in negotiations on the State Treaty following the war. By interpreting Nazism as an event exogenous to Austria's history, the victim theory marginalized the experiences of victims of the Nazi regime and created hurdles for restitution and compensation efforts. Additionally, it hindered efforts to address Austria's ambiguous and dark past, including its role in the Holocaust.

Today, only a few Austrians still support and defend the victim theory. Austria has since taken steps to face its past, including founding institutions dedicated to remembering and educating about the Holocaust, such as the Holocaust Education Institute of the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education.

The Moscow Declaration

Firstly, the declaration stated that the annexation (Anschluss) of Austria by Germany was null and void, and that any changes made in Austria since that date would not be recognised. This assertion of Austria's independence from Nazi Germany laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of a free and democratic Austrian state.

Secondly, the declaration recognised Austria as the first free country to fall victim to Hitlerite aggression. This acknowledgement of Austria's suffering under Nazi rule shaped the narrative of Austria as a victim rather than an active participant in Nazi crimes. However, the declaration also noted that Austria bore a responsibility for its participation in the war alongside Hitlerite Germany, and that this contribution would be taken into account in the final settlement.

Thirdly, the declaration called for the re-establishment of a free and independent Austria, opening the way for the Austrian people to find political and economic security. This statement of intent by the Allies marked the first collective declaration of their commitment to restoring Austria after the war.

The Vienna Offensive

Vienna had been continuously bombarded for a year before the arrival of the Soviet troops, resulting in significant damage to many buildings and facilities. The offensive was part of the broader Soviet campaign to push into Austria and occupy the country, which was officially considered part of Greater Germany after the Anschluss. The success of the Vienna Offensive and the subsequent occupation of a large part of Austria by the Red Army strengthened the Soviet position in postwar negotiations with the Western Allies.

The battle for Vienna was characterised by fierce urban combat in some areas, while the Soviets advanced with little opposition in other parts of the city. The German defenders put up a desperate resistance, but ultimately, the Soviet troops infiltrated the centre of the city and street fighting continued for several days. The battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides and left many of Vienna's finest buildings in ruins.

The Austrian State Treaty

On May 15, 1955, representatives of the governments of the Soviet Union, Great Britain, the United States, and France signed the Austrian State Treaty, granting Austria independence and arranging for the withdrawal of all occupation forces. The treaty was signed with the understanding that the newly independent state of Austria would declare its neutrality, creating a buffer zone between the East and the West.

The breakdown of the wartime "Grand Alliance" and the emergence of the Cold War led to the Austrian occupation lasting longer than anticipated. Negotiations over Austria's final status began in 1947, but the issue of German assets and reparations proved to be a major sticking point. The Soviet occupation forces had seized control of factories, railroads, oil, and shipping concerns, and only offered to sell them back to the Austrian provisional government at high prices.

In 1953, the Soviet Union launched a "peace offensive" to try to decrease international tensions. This, along with the death of former premier Joseph Stalin, improved the climate for negotiations. The Austrian government promised perpetual neutrality, and on May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was signed, ending seventeen years of occupation by foreign troops. The treaty came into force on July 27, 1955, and the last occupation troops left on October 25, 1955.

The Marshall Plan

Following World War II, Austria was divided into four occupation zones, jointly occupied by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France. This division was similar to the division of Germany into four zones, but unlike Germany, Austria remained united under joint occupation until 1955.

Austria was a recipient of Marshall Plan aid, receiving around $1 billion in interest-free donations. This aid was critical to the country's recovery, as it stimulated and accelerated the Austrian "economic miracle" of the 1960s. The plan provided much-needed funds to address food shortages and enabled the Austrian government to make the country economically independent.

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