Lyla Lindsey
The history of Austria is a long and complex one, stretching back to the Stone Age. The name 'Austria' has been in use since 996 AD when the region was referred to as 'Ostarrîchi'. In 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany and ceased to exist as an independent country. However, after World War II, the country was restored to its 1937 borders and occupied by the Allied forces until 1955 when it regained its independence. Today, Austria is officially known as the Republic of Austria and is a member of the European Union.
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What You'll Learn
Austria's name origins
The name 'Austria' has its origins in the Stone Age, when the region was inhabited by Celts. The first record of the name dates back to 996 AD when the region was referred to as 'Ostarrîchi', which is considered the clear forerunner of the modern German word 'Österreich'. This name referred to the territory of the Babenberg March, which was ruled by the House of Babenberg from 976 until 1246.
Charlemagne, King of the Franks, conquered the area in 788 and encouraged colonisation and the introduction of Christianity. The core areas that now make up Austria were bequeathed to the House of Babenberg, with Leopold of Babenberg becoming the margrave of the Ostmark in 976. The Babenbergs' power grew over time, and they moved their residence to Vienna in the 12th century, which has remained the capital of the country ever since.
In 1156, the Privilegium Minus elevated Austria to the status of a duchy, and the Babenbergs also acquired the Duchy of Styria in 1192. With the death of Frederick II in 1246, the line of Babenbergs ended, and Ottokar II of Bohemia assumed control of the duchies of Austria, Styria, and Carinthia. However, his reign was cut short by his defeat at the hands of Rudolph I of Germany in 1278.
The Duchy of Austria was then granted to the Habsburgs in 1282, marking the beginning of the infamous Habsburg Dynasty. The Habsburgs expanded their influence and power through strategic alliances and marriages, acquiring additional duchies and ruling over vast territories across Europe. They also faced frequent conflicts, particularly with the Ottoman Empire, which prompted alliances with Poland, Venice, and Russia to repel the Turkish threat.
Over the centuries, Austria underwent various changes, including annexation by Nazi Germany in 1938, occupation by Allied forces during World War II, and eventually regaining its independence and becoming a member of the European Union in 1995.
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Austria's early history
The area now known as Austria has a long history, stretching back to the Stone Age when it was inhabited by Celts. The first time the name Austria was used was in 996 AD, when the region was called Ostarrîchi. In the second half of the second century AD, various German tribes were making inroads into Roman territories, and by the mid-500s, the Bavarians controlled the territory between the eastern Alps and the Wienerwald region.
Charlemagne, King of the Franks, conquered the area in 788, introducing Christianity and encouraging colonisation. The core areas that now make up Austria were bequeathed to the House of Babenberg, with the territory known as the marchia Orientalis given to Leopold of Babenberg in 976. The Babenbergs' power was modest until the 12th century, when they began to dominate the Austrian nobility. In 1156, the Privilegium Minus elevated Austria to the status of a duchy, and the Babenbergs also acquired the Duchy of Styria in 1192.
In 1177, Henry II's son Leopold V became the second Duke of Austria, and the family's influence peaked under Henry's grandson Leopold VI (1198-1230). However, with the death of Frederick II in 1246, the Babenberg line ended, and Ottokar II of Bohemia assumed control of the duchies of Austria, Styria, and Carinthia. His reign ended in 1278 with his defeat at the hands of Rudolph I of Germany. In 1282, the Duchy of Austria was granted to the Habsburgs, who would go on to rule for 600 years, expanding their territory across Europe.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Austria was frequently at war with the Ottoman Empire, which was attempting to expand into Hungary. The Habsburgs were able to repel the Turkish threat, and in the late 1690s, they gained control of most of Hungary. During this period, Poland, Venice, and Russia joined the Habsburg Empire.
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The Austrian Empire's expansion
In the 10th century, the area was under the rule of the House of Babenberg, with Leopold of Babenberg becoming margrave of the territory in 976. The Babenbergs' power grew over the following centuries, and in 1156, Austria gained "Duchy" status, elevating the family's privileges. During this period, the Babenbergs also acquired the Duchy of Styria, and their influence peaked under the rule of Henry II's grandson, Leopold VI, in the late 12th century.
The expansion of the Austrian Empire was then closely tied to the rise of the Habsburg Dynasty. In 1278, Rudolph I of Germany defeated Ottokar II of Bohemia, who had controlled the duchies of Austria, Styria, and Carinthia. This marked the beginning of Habsburg rule in Austria, which would last for 600 years. The Habsburgs, through strategic marriages and political alliances, expanded their holdings and influence. They acquired the Duchies of Styria, Carinthia, and Tyrol, and through marriage alliances, gained control of Burgundy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Bohemia.
The Ottoman Empire's expansion into Europe posed a significant threat to Austria, leading to frequent conflicts between the two powers. Despite the Turkish threat, the Habsburgs continued to expand their empire, and by the late 17th century, they had gained control of most of Hungary. This expansion was facilitated by alliances with Poland, Venice, and Russia, who joined the Habsburgs in repelling the Ottoman incursions.
The early 18th century saw further territorial changes, with the acquisition of Freiburg and the Breisgau region, as well as the addition of Kärnten and Carniola to the empire through the will of Ulrich of Spanheim, duke of Kärnten, in 1269. However, conflicts with the Swiss led to territorial losses, including the Battle of Sempach in 1386, where Leopold lost his life.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Austria underwent further political and territorial changes, including the establishment of a Council of State modelled after the French Conseil d'État. In 1804, Francis II established the Austrian Empire as a response to Napoleon's foundation of the First French Empire. However, the Napoleonic Wars resulted in significant losses for Austria, including the detachment of Tyrol.
The Austrian Empire continued to play a significant role in European affairs, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in 1914 triggering World War I and leading to the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In the aftermath of World War I, Austria became an independent republic. However, in 1938, it was annexed by Nazi Germany, becoming a part of the Third Reich. After World War II, Austria regained its independence and was restored to its 1937 frontiers.
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The Austrian Republic
The history of the Republic of Austria is a long and complex one, stretching back to the Stone Age. The name 'Austria' has been in use since 996 AD, when the region was called 'Ostarrîchi' or 'Ostarrichi', derived from the territory of the Babenberg March.
In the 12th century, Henry II moved his residence to Vienna, which has remained the capital ever since. The Babenbergs' power grew, and in 1156, Austria gained 'Duchy' status, elevating the family to a new level of privilege. The Babenbergs acquired the Duchy of Styria in 1192, and their influence peaked under Henry's grandson, Leopold VI, during whose reign the culture of the High Middle Ages flourished, including the introduction of Gothic art.
The line of the Babenbergs ended with the death of Frederick II in 1246, and control of the Austrian duchies passed to Ottokar II of Bohemia. In 1278, he was defeated by Rudolph I of Germany, and the Duchy of Austria was granted to the House of Habsburg in 1282. Over the following centuries, the Habsburgs expanded their territory and influence, acquiring new duchies and forming strategic alliances through marriage.
The 16th and 17th centuries saw frequent conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, which prompted alliances with Poland, Venice, and Russia to repel the Turkish threat. The late 17th century saw a surge in arts and culture, and by the 18th century, Austria was facing economic challenges, leading to the encouragement of domestic industries.
In the 20th century, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 and became part of the Axis powers in World War II. After the war, in 1945, Austria was restored to its 1937 frontiers and occupied by the Allied forces for a decade. In 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was ratified, and Austria regained its independence, declaring its permanent neutrality. The Second Republic's political system was based on the constitutions of 1920 and 1929, with power shared between the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) and the Austrian People's Party (ÖVP). In 1995, Austria became a member of the European Union.
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Austria and World War II
The first record of the name "Austria" dates back to 996, where it is written as "Ostarrîchi", referring to the territory of the Babenberg March. In 1938, Austria ceased to exist as an independent country when it was annexed by Nazi Germany, also known as the Third Reich. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, was supported by the majority of Austrians and saw the country become an integral part of Nazi Germany.
During World War II, hundreds of thousands of Austrians fought as German soldiers, with a substantial number serving in the SS, the elite military corps of the Nazi Party. The Wehrmacht, the German military, drafted more than 1.3 million Austrians between 1938 and 1945, with 242,000 of them never returning. Austrians also served as soldiers from Germany and committed atrocities on the Eastern Front. By the end of the war, approximately 250,000 Austrians had been killed or were missing in action, and an even greater number were held as prisoners of war, many in Soviet camps.
Austria also experienced bombing raids by the US and Britain, resulting in more than 20,000 deaths. The lack of workers caused by the enlistment of Austrian men in the German army, along with the buildup of the armament industries, led to compulsory labour on a massive scale. Foreign workers from other European countries, as well as concentration camp inmates, were forced to work in industry and agriculture. One of the main camps was the Mauthausen concentration camp near Linz, along with its satellite camps.
A small minority of Austrians actively resisted Nazism and the Nazi regime. The 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 imprisoned. The Austrian resistance groups were ideologically diverse, including left-wing groups (mostly communists and some socialists), conservative resisters (Christian Socialists and monarchists), and groups close to the Catholic Church and the Habsburgs. Tens of thousands of Austrians were arrested for political reasons during the war, and many died in concentration camps or prisons, with about 2,700 executed. Additionally, a number of Austrians fought as Allied soldiers against the German army.
After World War II, Austria was occupied by Soviet troops, who liberated Vienna on April 13, 1945. A free provisional government was then established by representatives from the resistance movement and former political parties. Although Austria was once again an independent republic, it faced significant challenges, including a bleak economic outlook and damaged infrastructure. The country emerged from the war as one of the poorest in Europe. The political system of the Second Republic was based on the constitutions of 1920 and 1929, which were reintroduced in 1945.
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Frequently asked questions
The name Austria has been in use since 996 AD, when the region was called Ostarrîchi.
The area we now call Austria dates back to the Stone Age, but it was in 1156 that Austria gained "Duchy" status, becoming the Duchy of Austria.
Austria became an independent republic in 1918 after World War I, which destroyed the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938 and became independent again in 1955.
