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Germany and Austria share a complex history, with the two nations having been closely linked at various points in their past. The first recorded instance of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996, in a document of King Otto III, referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. In the Middle Ages and Early Modern period, the Holy Roman Empire encompassed the bulk of present-day territories of Germany and Austria. The House of Habsburg became the ruling family of the Empire in 1440, and their identification with Austria began in 1282. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation, which led to the rise of Pan-Germanism. In 1938, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany, but after World War II, Austria regained its independence. Since then, there has been no serious effort to unite the two countries, and they have developed separate national identities, with only 6% of Austrians identifying as Germans in a 1987 survey. Today, Germany and Austria are both members of the European Union, sharing a common currency and a free border, but they differ in their cultural nuances, traditions, and attitudes towards unification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of formation | Germany: Unknown; Austria: 976 |
| First mention | Germany: Unknown; Austria: 996 |
| Annexation of Austria by Germany | 12 March 1938 |
| Independence of Austria | 15 May 1955 |
| Joining the European Union | 1995 |
| Rulers | Germany: Currently no monarch; Austria: Currently no monarch |
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What You'll Learn
The name 'Austria'
The name Austria has a long and complex history. The first written mention of the name dates back to 796 and was found in the work "Historia Langobardorum" by Paolo Diacono. The name Austria is a Latinization of the German name "Österreich", first recorded in the 12th century. The German name itself is derived from the Old High German word "Ostarrîchi", meaning "eastern realm", recorded in the so-called Ostarrîchi Document of 996. This document was issued by Emperor Otto III and refers to the territory of the Babenberg March, a prefecture of the Duchy of Bavaria created in 976.
The Latinized name Austria first appeared in writings in the 12th century during the time of Leopold III (1095-1136). The shorter Latin form may have led to some confusion, as the Germanic word "Ost" means "east", while the similar-sounding Latin word "auster" means "south". This is why the name Austria is similar to Australia, which is derived from the Latin "Terra Australis", meaning "southern land".
The form "Osterlant" was also in use for a long time, with the inhabitants being referred to as "Ostermann" or "Osterfrau". The name "Ostarrîchi" may have resulted from a much older term originating in the Celtic languages of ancient Austria. According to Austrian historian Friedrich Heer, the major part of the actual country was called "Norig" by the Celtic Hallstatt culture more than 2,500 years ago, with "no-" or "nor-" meaning "east" and "-rig" related to the modern German "Reich", meaning "realm". Thus, "Norig" would essentially mean the same as "Ostarrîchi" and "Österreich".
An alternative theory, proposed by Austrian Slavistics professor Otto Kronsteiner, suggests that the term "Ostarrîchi" is derived from a Slavic toponym "Ostravica", meaning "pointed hill", with the popular meaning of Eastern realm coming at a later time. This theory was rejected by Austrian linguist Heinz-Dieter Pohl. Another possibility is that the name comes from the Ostrogoths, who had a kingdom in what is now Austria and northern Italy.
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Austria's history with Germany
The history of Austria is closely intertwined with that of Germany, dating back to ancient times. In the late Iron Age, around 800 BC, Austria was inhabited by the Hallstatt Celtic culture, which organised into a kingdom known as Noricum by the Romans. At the end of the 1st century BC, the lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire. During the Migration Period in the 6th century, Germanic peoples, including the Bavarii, moved into the region.
In the 9th century, the Frankish Empire, established by the Germanic Franks, controlled the area. The first recorded use of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996 in a document by King Otto III, referring to the territory as 'Ostarrîchi'. In 976, Leopold I, also known as Leopold the Illustrious, began his rule over Austria, which lasted until 994. During this period, Austria was still subject to Bavaria and was a relatively minor player in the region.
In the 12th century, the Latinised name 'Austria' appeared in writings during the time of Leopold III (1095-1136). The concept of 'pietas austriacae', or the divine duty to rule, originated with Rudolph I and was later reformulated by Frederick as 'AEIOU', signifying Austria's destiny to rule the world. Frederick's reign was pivotal in consolidating Austrian power and expanding its influence.
In the 19th century, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary, creating the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, after World War I, the empire collapsed, and Austria was reduced to its current frontiers, primarily German-speaking areas. It adopted the name the Republic of German-Austria.
The most notable intersection between Austria and Germany occurred in 1938 when Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexed Austria to Germany. This move was supported by a large majority of Austrians, and Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II. After the German defeat, the Allied powers reestablished an independent Austria, known as the Second Austrian Republic in 1955.
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Austria's Roman history
The area of present-day Austria was settled in prehistoric times, with the fertile Danube Valley and the Alpine valleys inhabited as far back as the Paleolithic Age (until c. 8000 BC). Around 400 BC, Celtic peoples from Western Europe settled in the eastern Alps, and by the 7th century BC, one of the main regions of Celtic occupation was in modern-day Austria, centred around Hallstatt, a large prehistoric salt-mining area.
The Romans arrived in 200 BC and by 15 BC, they dominated the entire area. The most important Roman settlement in Austria was Carnuntum, the capital of the Roman province of Pannonia in today's Lower Austria. Carnuntum became the centre of Roman fortifications along the Danube. The Romans ruled over the region for almost 500 years and founded numerous settlements. However, they eventually withdrew from the Danube region, abandoning cities like Carnuntum, due to the onslaught of tribal migrations.
By the second half of the second century AD, various German tribes were extending their territory and making incursions into Roman territories. By the mid-500s, the Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region. The Germanic Bavarians replaced Romansch as the main language, but they adopted many Roman customs and became increasingly Christianized.
In the late 8th century, Charlemagne, the king of the Franks and eventual Holy Roman Emperor, established a territory in the Danube valley known as the Ostmark (Eastern March). In 976, Leopold von Babenberg became the margrave of the Ostmark, and in 996, the Ostmark was first referred to as "Ostarrichi", a forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich" (Austria). The Babenbergs, a Bavarian noble family, expanded their power in the centuries that followed, acquiring more territories and ruling over Austria for centuries.
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Austria's Bavarian history
The history of Austria is closely tied to Bavaria, with the two sharing a language and historical rulers. Bavarian, or Austro-Bavarian, is a group of Upper German varieties spoken across the southeast of the German language area, including the German state of Bavaria, most of Austria, and South Tyrol in Italy. Bavarian is considered a dialect of German, though some classify it as a separate language. The language differs significantly from Standard German, and native speakers may struggle to adopt standard pronunciation. However, educated Bavarians and Austrians can typically read, write, and understand Standard German.
Historically, the term "Bavarian" refers to the people who settled in Bavaria and their tribal dialect. The origin of the word is disputed, but it is thought to have come from "Bajowarjōz," meaning "inhabitants of Bojer land." The name "Bojer" originated as a name for the former Celtic inhabitants of the area, eventually referring to a mixed population of Celts, Romans, and others.
In the context of Austria's history, the first recorded instance of the name "Austria" appeared in 996 in a document written by King Otto III as "Ostarrîchi," referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. This territory became known as the Bavarian Eastern March under Leopold, Count of Babenberg, in 976. Prior to this, Bavaria included the Inn basin (including Salzburg and the Salzach basin) and the Danube from Donauwörth (Lech confluence) to Linz. The most important Bavarian cities at the time were Freising, Passau, Salzburg, and Regensburg.
In the following centuries, Bavaria and Austria continued to have a complex relationship, with Bavaria at times being ruled by Austrian margraves and the two regions occasionally being at odds. For example, in the 12th century, Bavaria was granted to Leopold IV, Margrave of Austria, by King Conrad III. Later, in the 18th century, the dominions of Maximilian II Emanuel of Bavaria were temporarily partitioned between Austria and the elector palatine following his defeat at the Battle of Blenheim.
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Austria's involvement in World War II
Germany is older than Austria. The first recorded instance of the name 'Austria' appeared in 996.
Austria was incorporated into Germany in 1938, with Austrian-born Adolf Hitler annexing his country of birth to Germany. This was supported by a large majority of Austrians, with German troops receiving an enthusiastic welcome. The next day, a plebiscite was manipulated to indicate that about 99% of Austrians wanted the union, known as the Anschluss, with Germany. Jews and Roma were not allowed to vote. During World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces. Austrians also participated in the Nazi administration, from death camp personnel to senior Nazi leadership. The Mauthausen concentration camp, established in 1938, became the main Nazi camp in Austria. It was a special penal camp with a harsh regime, where inmates were forced to carry heavy stone blocks up 186 steps from the camp quarry, known as the "Stairway of Death".
Many Austrians were involved in Nazi crimes, including three Austrians who rose to the rank of Generaloberst (colonel general) in the German armed forces: Lothar Rendulic, Alexander Löhr, and Erhard Raus. Austrians also made up the majority of bureaucrats who implemented the Final Solution. However, it is important to note that a small minority of Austrians actively participated in the resistance against Nazism. Austrian historian Helmut Konrad estimates that out of a population of 6.8 million in 1938, there were around 100,000 Austrian opponents to the regime who were convicted and imprisoned.
After World War II, Austria was divided into four occupation zones and jointly occupied by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France. Vienna was also subdivided, with the central district collectively administered. In 1943, the Allies agreed in the Declaration of Moscow that Austria would be regarded as the first victim of Nazi aggression and treated as a liberated and independent country after the war. Austria became an independent republic again in 1955.
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Frequently asked questions
The concept of a country is a complex one, and both Germany and Austria have complex histories. The name 'Austria' was first recorded in 996, while Germany has been associated with various groups and tribes throughout history. Therefore, it is challenging to provide a definitive answer to this question.
Germany, as a unified country, is a relatively modern concept. The country in its current form was established after World War II, following the division of East and West Germany.
Austria became an independent republic known as the Second Austrian Republic in 1955.
The term 'Austria' has evolved over time. In 996, it was referred to as 'Ostarrichi' in a document by King Otto III. The Latinized name 'Austria' appeared in writings in the 12th century during the time of Leopold III.
