Nationalists' Austrian Agenda: Unifying German-Speaking People

Austrian nationalism has its roots in the Napoleonic Wars and was initially a cultural movement that emphasised a Catholic religious identity. This led to opposition to unification with Protestant-majority Prussia, which was seen as a threat to Austrian national identity. Austrian nationalism also served to protect the rule of the Habsburgs. Over time, Austrian nationalism has been challenged by German nationalism, Bavarian nationalism, and other rival nationalist movements within its territories. German nationalism, in particular, has been a significant force in Austrian politics since the 19th century, advocating for close ties with Germany and the potential incorporation of Austria into a Greater Germany. The idea of unification with Germany became unpopular after World War II due to its association with Nazism, and Austrians began to embrace a more distinct national identity separate from Germany.

Promote their ethnic group's interests and identity

Austrian nationalism, or Österreichischer Nationalismus, asserts that Austrians are a nation and promotes the cultural unity of Austrians. Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, with Joseph von Hormayr as a prominent Austrian nationalist political leader at the time.

Nationalists in Austria-Hungary in the 1800s wanted to promote the interests and identity of their respective ethnic groups. For nationalists, this meant different things depending on their ethnic group. German nationalists, for example, sought greater political power and cultural influence for German-speaking Austrians. Given that German was considered the lingua franca of the Empire, and that the Empire's elite consisted primarily of German-speakers, this group enjoyed a privileged position. German nationalists also sought the incorporation of Austria into a Greater Germany.

Hungarian nationalists, on the other hand, advocated for greater autonomy and independence for Hungary within the dual monarchy. They wanted to protect the Hungarian language and culture, which they felt was being threatened by the dominance of German. They also wanted to preserve the sovereignty of Austria.

Other nationalist movements in the Austro-Hungarian Empire at this time included Czech, Slovak, Polish, and Italian groups, each seeking recognition and representation for their respective groups within the larger empire.

Greater political power and cultural influence

German nationalists in Austria-Hungary during the 1800s sought greater political power and cultural influence for German-speaking Austrians. This was part of a broader nationalist movement across Europe, which saw various ethnic groups within the Austro-Hungarian Empire seeking recognition and representation. The German nationalists' desire for greater political power was reflected in their support for the unification of all ethnic Germans into one state, known as the "Greater Germany" plan. They viewed Prussia, and later the Prussian-led German Empire, as the nation-state for all ethnic Germans and favoured close ties with, or even the incorporation of Austria into, a Greater Germany.

The German National Movement, which began during the revolutions of 1848, sought to entrench German ethnic identity within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This movement advocated for the creation of a Greater Germany and the implementation of anti-Semitic and anti-clerical policies. German nationalists also sought to protect the privileges of German-speakers within the Empire, who traditionally enjoyed societal advantages dating back to the reign of Empress Maria Theresa and her son, Joseph II. German was considered the lingua franca of the Empire, and the elite consisted primarily of German-speakers.

In the late 19th century, conflict emerged between German nationalists and those who supported an Austrian national identity, such as the Christian Social Party. The German nationalists, including members of the Social Democratic Party, did not consider themselves Austrian and instead identified as German nationalists. They favoured unification with Germany, while the Austrian nationalists, who were largely conservative and undemocratic, wanted to preserve the independence and sovereignty of Austria.

The idea of unifying all ethnic Germans into one state was challenged by the rise of Austrian nationalism within the Christian Social Party, which identified Austrians based on their predominantly Catholic religious identity, in contrast to the predominantly Protestant religious identity of the Prussians. Over 90% of interbellum Austrians identified as Catholic. Following World War I, many Austrians desired to be united with Germany, but this sentiment declined over time, especially with the fall of the pan-Germanist Social Democrat government under Karl Renner. After World War II, pan-Germanism and the idea of political union with Germany became unpopular due to their association with Nazism, and Austrian nationalism began to emphasize the non-Germanic heritage of Austrian culture.

Protect Catholic religious identity

Austrian nationalism, or Österreichischer Nationalismus, emerged as a cultural nationalism that emphasised a Catholic religious identity. This was in opposition to unification with Protestant-majority Prussia, which was seen as a threat to the Catholic core of Austrian national identity. Austrian nationalism was also used to protect the rule of the Habsburgs.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Austrian nationalism was championed by political leader Joseph von Hormayr. In the 1930s, the Fatherland Front government of Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg rejected the idea of uniting with a Protestant-dominated Germany, claiming that any unification would require a federal German state that recognised a privileged status for Austria.

The Fatherland Front was a right-wing conservative, nationalist, and corporatist ruling political organisation in Austria. It was established in 1933 as the only legally permitted party, and it advocated for Austrian independence from Germany to protect its Catholic religious identity. The Front was aligned with the Catholic Church and did not advocate any racial ideology.

Austrian nationalism identified Austrians as predominantly Catholic, in contrast to the predominantly Protestant identity of the Prussians. Over 90% of interbellum Austrians identified as Catholic. After World War I, many Austrians desired unification with Germany, but this sentiment declined over time, and by the 1920s, less than 50% of Austrians supported unification.

The rise of Austrian nationalism within the Christian Social Party emphasised the Catholic religious identity of Austrians. This led to opposition to unification with Protestant Prussia and later with Nazi Germany, which was seen as "heathen". Engelbert Dollfuss, who rose to power in 1932, promoted Austrian nationalism and Catholic values, rejecting the idea of submitting to Protestant-dominated Prussia.

Austrian nationalism sought to protect the Catholic religious identity of the country, which was seen as a core aspect of Austrian national identity. This led to opposition to unification with Protestant-majority Prussia and later with Nazi Germany. The Fatherland Front, a right-wing conservative and nationalist organisation, played a crucial role in advocating for Austrian independence and protecting the Catholic Church's influence in the country.

Oppose unification with Protestant-majority Prussia

Austrian nationalism was largely rooted in Catholicism, which was the predominant religion in the country. The idea of unification with Protestant-majority Prussia was therefore seen as a potential threat to the Catholic core of Austrian national identity.

Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, with Joseph von Hormayr as a prominent Austrian nationalist political leader at the time. In the 1930s, Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg's Fatherland Front government rejected current pan-German aspirations to join Austria with a Protestant-dominated Germany. They claimed that any unification of Austria with Germany would require a federal German state where Austria and Austrians were guaranteed privileged status, recognising an Austrian nation within a German Kulturnation.

The Austrian Civil War of 1934 was, in part, a series of clashes between the forces of the Fatherland Front and the Republican Protection League, the banned paramilitary arm of the Social Democratic Workers' Party of Austria. The Fatherland Front emerged victorious, and in May 1934, Austria's democratic constitution was replaced by the Austrofascist constitution of the Federal State of Austria, with the Fatherland Front as the only legal party.

The idea of unification was also unpopular among those who saw themselves as Austrians first and Germans second. They wanted to preserve the independence of Austria and saw unification as a threat to Austrian sovereignty.

Preserve Austrian independence

Austrian nationalism, or Österreichischer Nationalismus, asserts that Austrians are a nation and promotes the cultural unity of Austrians. Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, with Joseph von Hormayr as a prominent Austrian nationalist political leader at the time.

Austrian nationalists sought to preserve Austrian independence from unification with Protestant-majority Prussia, which was perceived as a threat to the Catholic core of Austrian national identity. This desire for independence was also fuelled by the need to protect the rule of the Habsburgs.

In the 1930s, the Fatherland Front government, led by Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg, rejected pan-German aspirations to join Austria with a Protestant-dominated Germany. They claimed that any unification would require a federal German state that recognised Austria's privileged status and its existence as a nation within a German Kulturnation.

The Fatherland Front was a right-wing conservative, nationalist, and corporatist ruling political organisation in Austria. It aimed to unite all Austrians, transcending political and social divisions. Established by Dollfuss in 1933, it was modelled after Italian Fascism, was aligned with the Catholic Church, and advocated for Austrian independence from Germany.

Dollfuss and his successor, Kurt Schuschnigg, promoted Austrian nationalism, emphasising that Catholic Austria would not submit to a Protestant Germany or a "heathen" Nazi-led Germany. They argued that Austria needed to revive its greatness, recalling its Habsburg dynasty's leading role in the German Holy Roman Empire. According to estimates, about 70% of Austrians would have voted to preserve Austrian independence.

Austrian nationalism has been challenged by rival nationalisms, including German nationalism and Bavarian nationalism, which proposed Austria's incorporation into Bavaria. However, Austrian nationalists strongly opposed these ideas, emphasising Austria's distinct identity, culture, and history.

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