Damon Mcknight
Germany and Austria have a long and complex shared history, with a common language and culture. Austrians and Germans have fought two world wars together, and Austria was annexed into Germany by Nazi Germany in 1938. Today, Germany is Austria's most important economic partner, and the two countries have close ties in tourism, trade, and media. However, their relationship is not without its challenges. Austrians often resent their dependence on Germany, and German politicians regard their Austrian counterparts with suspicion, believing that Austrian mentality is shaped more by Balkan values than Teutonia. Despite their similarities, Austrians and Germans have differing views on important issues, such as the refugee crisis, and cultural differences, such as the perception of German directness as rudeness in Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common language | German |
| Shared history | First World War, Anschluss, Second World War |
| Economic ties | Germany is Austria's most important economic partner; Germany drives Austria's tourism industry; Germany accounts for one-third of Austrian exports; Austria is Germany's third-largest source market for tourism |
| Political ties | Both are member-states of the EU; Germany is a member of NATO, Austria is not |
| Cultural ties | Austrians and Germans watch many of the same TV shows; German publishing houses hold shares in Austrian media companies; German and Austrian musicians, actors, directors, producers, etc. work in both countries |
| Austrians' perception of Germans | Arrogant, rude, direct, efficient |
| Germans' perception of Austrians | Austrians hate Germans, Austrians see themselves as superior to Germans |
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What You'll Learn
Austrians' resentment towards Germany
Austrians and Germans have a long and complicated history, with many Austrians resenting Germany for various reasons. Firstly, Austria has a history of being dominated by or annexed to Germany, which has fuelled Austrian desires for independence and a separate national identity. After World War I, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria, seeking union with Germany. However, this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, and Austria was stripped of some territories. In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria, an event known as the Anschluss. This annexation was supported by many Austrians, but it also marked a period of Austrian identity being overshadowed by German dominance. After World War II, Austria claimed independence and banned reunification with Germany, seeking to preserve its Catholic religious identity and distinct historical heritage.
Another source of Austrian resentment towards Germany is the perception of German arrogance and cultural differences. Austrians often view Germans as arrogant and rude, and they find the direct and efficient German way of communication to be off-putting. Austrians are known for their politeness and service, which can be seen as a contrast to German directness. Additionally, Austrians may perceive Germans as trying to change things and involving themselves in matters that don't concern them, which can be interpreted as a form of German dominance or interference.
Economic and political dependence on Germany has also quietly fuelled Austrian resentment. Germany drives Austria's tourism industry, with Germans accounting for a significant proportion of overnight stays in the country. Many of Austria's largest companies and employers are German-owned, and Germany accounts for a large portion of Austrian exports. This reliance on Germany has been a source of frustration for Austrians, who feel that their country is too dependent on its larger neighbour.
Furthermore, Austria and Germany have had differing approaches to addressing refugee crises, such as the Moria fire incident and the situation on the Greek island of Lesvos. German politicians have criticised Austria for refusing to take in more refugees, which Austrians perceive as Germany trying to exert influence and play the role of the "big brother." Austrian leaders have pushed back against this criticism, asserting their independence and refusal to "follow the German example."
Finally, historical tensions between the two countries, such as the rivalry between Prussia and Austria for dominance over neighbouring German states and the complex dynamics during the Napoleonic Wars, have also contributed to a complex and sometimes fraught relationship between Austrians and Germans.
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Germany's criticism of Austria
Germany and Austria have a long history of cultural and economic exchange. They share a language, and many German companies have offices and production facilities in Austria. Austria is also one of Germany's most important trading partners, with an annual trade volume of more than 100 billion euros. Additionally, Germany is Austria's most important economic partner, and the two countries have close media and tourism ties.
Despite these close links, Austrians and Germans have never really meshed. Austrians often perceive Germans as arrogant, rude, and too direct. They also resent Germany's economic dominance and political influence over Austria. This has led to a complex and sometimes fraught relationship between the two nations, with Austrians often trying to distance themselves from their larger neighbour.
Following World War I and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Austrians wanted to be incorporated into Germany, and in 1918, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria. However, this union was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919). In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria. After World War II, Austria claimed independence and tried to portray itself as the first victim of Nazi Germany. While this theory has since been disproven, it demonstrates Austria's desire to distance itself from Germany, particularly in the aftermath of the war.
In more recent times, Germany has criticised Austria for its refusal to take in refugees from the Moria fire crisis on the Greek island of Lesvos. German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer expressed surprise at Austria's lack of participation in resolving the crisis. This incident illustrates the ongoing tensions and differences between the two nations, which, despite their close ties, often find themselves at odds with each other.
Cultural expression of Austrian resentment towards Germany can be found in dark comedies such as the television miniseries "Die Piefke Saga" ("Piefke" being Austrian slang for Germans). Additionally, German politicians regard Austrians with suspicion, believing their mentality is shaped more by the values of the Balkans than Teutonia. This suspicion is not unfounded, as demonstrated by the Wirecard scandal, the largest financial fraud in German postwar history, which had both main suspects from Austria.
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Austria's dependence on Germany
Austria and Germany have had a long and complex relationship, with a shared history that includes two world wars and a period of unification under Nazi Germany. While Austria and Germany are now separate countries with distinct identities, Austria still relies on Germany in several key areas.
One of the most significant areas of Austrian dependence on Germany is economic. Germany is Austria's largest trading partner, accounting for nearly one-third of Austrian exports. Additionally, many of Austria's biggest companies and employers are German-owned, including supermarket giant Rewe and engineering group Siemens. Germany also plays a crucial role in Austria's tourism industry, with Germans accounting for more than 35% of overnight stays in the country. This economic reliance has fuelled resentment among some Austrians, who feel that their country is too dependent on its larger neighbour.
Another area of Austrian dependence on Germany is cultural. Both countries share a common language and have influenced each other's culture and traditions. However, there are also notable differences between the two countries, with Austrians often perceiving Germans as arrogant and rude, while Germans may find Austrian variations of the German language amusing. Despite these differences, there is a degree of cultural exchange and fluidity between the two countries, with German TV programs being broadcast in Austria and vice versa.
The political relationship between Austria and Germany has been fraught at times, with Austrian politicians accused of trying to get away with things that Germany, as a more dominant country, might not be able to. One example of this is Austria's refusal to take in refugees during the Moria fire crisis, which was criticised by German politicians. However, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's stance on this issue was also seen as a politically smart move that deflected attention away from Austria and onto Germany.
Historically, Austria and Germany have had a complex dynamic, with periods of cooperation and conflict. After World War I, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria, but this union was dissolved after the war, and Austria claimed independence. Since then, reunification has been banned, and Austria has worked to establish its own distinct identity separate from Germany.
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Austria's refusal to take in refugees
Austria and Germany have had a complicated relationship historically, with Austrians often feeling that Germans have an instinctive desire to play "big brother" and tell them what to do. This has resulted in Austrian resentment towards Germany, which is often expressed in dark comedy. Austrian politicians have also been known to shift the blame onto Germany, as former Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann did when he pleaded with Merkel to take in refugees crossing the Hungarian-Austrian border.
Austria's stance on migration may be surprising to some, given the recent shift in leadership to a coalition of conservatives, social democrats, and liberals. Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker expressed satisfaction with Germany's commitment to taking action against illegal migration, emphasizing the importance of robust external border protection to reduce problems at internal European borders. However, Austria's interpretation of EU law, which states that asylum claimants must be accepted and processed in the country of application, has caused friction with Germany.
Austria's refusal to accept refugees and its criticism of Germany's plan to turn back asylum seekers highlight the complex dynamics and differing approaches between the two countries regarding the refugee crisis. While Germany seeks a more assertive leadership role in the EU, Austria pushes back against what it perceives as German dominance and advocates for stronger external border protection. These contrasting perspectives contribute to the ongoing tensions and complexities in the Austria-Germany relationship.
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Austria's unique form of German
Austria and Germany have a long and complicated history, sharing a language and culture, and fighting together (and losing) in two world wars. Despite this, the two nations have never really meshed, and Germans and Austrians have distinct identities.
Austrian German is the variety of Standard German used in formal situations, such as in the media, and for official government use. In less formal situations, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are rarely written. The Bavarian dialect is the mother tongue of many Austrians, and it is much easier for speakers of this dialect to communicate with those in rural parts of Bavaria. The Central Austro-Bavarian dialects are more intelligible to speakers of Standard German than the Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects of Tyrol.
The Viennese dialect is seen by many in Germany as quintessentially Austrian. However, the people of Graz, the capital of Styria, speak a dialect that is more easily understood by people from other parts of Austria than by other Styrians. While simple words in the various dialects are very similar, pronunciation varies, and it may be possible for an Austrian to recognise the region an individual is from after only a few spoken words.
In addition to the standard variety, in everyday life, most Austrians speak one of several Upper German dialects. While strong forms of these dialects are not fully mutually intelligible to northern Germans, communication is much easier in Bavaria, especially in rural areas.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrians are generally perceived as arrogant and rude in Germany. Germans also find the Austrian accent funny. Austrians are also seen as more polite and less direct than Germans.
Austrians are often viewed as the first victims of Nazi Germany. However, this theory has been disproved by Austrians themselves. After World War I, Austrians wanted to be incorporated into Germany and supported the annexation by the Third Reich.
Austrians often resent Germans for their dominant position in the economic and cultural landscape of Austria. They also feel that Germans are rude and arrogant. However, Austrians are very popular as tourists in Germany.
Germany and Austria have a close relationship, with shared language, culture, and history. They are each other's most important economic partners and have close cooperation in media and entertainment. However, there are also differences, especially in their approach to tackling issues such as the refugee crisis.
