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Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, with the support of the Austrian population. The country was then an integral part of the Third Reich, with 10% of the population joining the Nazi Party. The experience of living in Austria during World War II would have been shaped by the country's role in the war, the persecution of Jews and other minorities, and the eventual occupation of Austria by Allied forces.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of German annexation | 12 March 1938 |
| Date of German incorporation | 13 March 1938 |
| Percentage of Austrian population that was Jewish in 1938 | 4% |
| Number of Jews in Austria in 1938 | 192,000 |
| Number of Jews remaining in Austria by December 1939 | 57,000 |
| Number of Jews who left Austria by the start of World War II in 1939 | Over 100,000 |
| Number of Austrian Jews who died during World War II | Over 65,000 |
| Number of Austrians drafted into the Wehrmacht between 1938 and 1945 | 1.3 million |
| Number of drafted Austrians who did not return | 242,000 |
| Number of Romani people from Kemeten who were deported in 1941 and returned in 1945 | 5 out of 200 |
| Number of occupation zones Austria was divided into after World War II | 4 |
| Date Austria was declared independent from Nazi Germany | 27 April 1945 |
| Date the Austrian State Treaty came into force | 27 July 1955 |
| Date the last occupation troops left Austria | 25 October 1955 |
| Number of Austrian generals in the German armed forces during World War II | 3 |
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What You'll Learn
The Holocaust and the persecution of Jews
However, with the German annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss, the situation changed drastically. The Anschluss was met with overwhelming support from most Austrians, and the country was quickly incorporated into Nazi Germany. Anti-Jewish legislation was swiftly extended to Austria, and the Mauthausen concentration camp, the main Nazi camp in the country, was established. It was a site of immense brutality, where inmates were subjected to harsh labour, including carrying heavy stone blocks up the "Stairway of Death".
The persecution of Jews was immediate and relentless. Hundreds of Jewish-owned businesses in Vienna were seized, and Jews were systematically plundered, deported, and murdered. The Central Office for Jewish Emigration, led by Adolf Eichmann, facilitated the emigration of thousands of Jews. Notable figures like Sigmund Freud were among those who fled. However, for those who remained, the situation grew increasingly dire. Mass deportations from Vienna began in October 1941, with about 35,000 Jews sent to ghettos in Eastern Europe and concentration camps in Germany.
By November 1942, only around 7,000 Jews remained in Austria, and the Holocaust had claimed the lives of approximately 60,000-65,000 Austrian Jews. The Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart, who briefly served as Chancellor, was executed in 1946 for his role in the atrocities. The country's role in the Holocaust sparked debates and struggles to come to terms with its dark past. Efforts have been made towards restitution and remembrance, including memorials, compensation funds, and psychological assistance for survivors.
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Soviet occupation and liberation
Life in Austria during World War II was a time of turmoil, uncertainty, and hardship for the Austrian people, who experienced Nazi rule, Allied bombings, and eventually Soviet occupation and liberation. While the war brought some initial economic benefits to the country, the cost in human suffering was immense. Here, we will focus on the period of Soviet occupation and liberation, a complex and often traumatic time for Austrians.
As the war drew to a close, the Soviet Red Army advanced into Austria, crossing the border in April 1945. Their arrival marked the beginning of a four-year occupation, with the country divided into four zones, each controlled by one of the Allied powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. Vienna, the nation's capital, was also split into four sectors. The Soviet occupation of Austria was a period of significant political and social change, as the country transitioned from Nazi rule to Allied control and, eventually, independence. The Soviets, in particular, sought to implement sweeping reforms, including land redistribution and the nationalization of key industries.
For many Austrians, the Soviet presence was a traumatic experience. Human rights abuses were common, with thousands of Austrians arrested, deported, or sent to forced labour camps. The Soviet authorities also imposed strict censorship and controlled the media, education, and cultural institutions. The occupation also brought a wave of refugees, as ethnic Germans fled to Austria from Eastern Europe, adding to the country's housing and resource shortages. However, not all Austrians experienced the Soviet occupation negatively. Some benefited from the social and economic reforms, and for former resistance fighters and those persecuted under Nazi rule, the Soviet arrival brought liberation and a chance to rebuild.
The Soviet occupation also had a significant impact on Austrian politics. The Communist Party of Austria (KPÖ) gained influence during this period, becoming a major political force, particularly in areas under Soviet control. The KPÖ played a key role in shaping post-war Austrian politics, advocating for social and economic reforms and contributing to the development of the country's welfare state. However, the party's close association with the Soviet Union also led to suspicions of disloyalty, and the KPÖ faced increasing opposition as the Cold War intensified. Eventually, the party's influence waned, and it failed to gain power through democratic means.
In conclusion, the Soviet occupation and liberation of Austria was a complex and multifaceted period, marked by both trauma and relief. While some Austrians experienced human rights abuses and political repression, others welcomed the social and economic reforms implemented by the Soviets. The occupation also had a lasting impact on the country's political landscape, shaping the development of Austria's welfare state and contributing to the Cold War tensions that would divide the nation. Ultimately, Austria's path to independence and recovery was a long and challenging one, with the legacy of the war felt for decades to come.
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Austrian support for Nazi Germany
Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, with the support of the majority of the Austrian population. This unification of the two countries is known as the Anschluss. The Anschluss was an integral part of the Nazi "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept, which sought to incorporate as many Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans outside Germany) as possible into a "Greater Germany".
Before the annexation, there was considerable support for unification among Austrian citizens, particularly those on the political left and center. This was largely due to the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not economically viable as an independent state. The Austrian Nazi Party was weak and divided in the late 1920s and early 1930s, but by 1931, the bulk of Austrian Nazis recognized Hitler as their leader and began to gain supporters as his popularity in Germany increased. In 1933, when Hitler rose to power in Germany, the desire for unification became more closely associated with the Nazis.
Austrian Nazis carried out terrorist attacks and attempted a coup in 1934, resulting in the assassination of Chancellor Dollfuss. Leading Austrian Nazis fled to Germany but continued to push for unification, while those who remained in Austria continued the terrorist attacks, causing a death toll of over 800 between 1934 and 1938. In 1938, Austrian Nazis rioted and pressured Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg to cancel a planned referendum on Austrian independence. Hitler was infuriated by the referendum and decided to take action, sending troops to the Austrian border and ultimately annexing the country.
The German annexation of Austria was met with enthusiasm by most Austrians. In a plebiscite that was manipulated to indicate support for the union, about 99% of Austrians were reported to be in favor of the Anschluss. Austrians served in the Nazi administration and the armed forces, with 950,000 fighting for the Nazi German military during World War II. Many Austrians also participated in the Nazi war machine as death camp personnel and senior Nazi leadership. After the war, Austria sought to advance the view that it was the first victim of the Nazis, and it did not undergo the same thorough process of denazification as post-war Germany.
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Austrian military involvement
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, with the support of the Austrian population. The country was then renamed Ostmark, and Upper and Lower Austria became Upper and Lower Danube. The Nazis arrested many leaders of anti-Nazi Austrian political parties, particularly communists and socialists, and forced those of Jewish origin into exile. The Mauthausen concentration camp was also established in the summer of 1938, becoming the main Nazi camp in Austria.
The Austrian military, known as the Bundesheer, was disbanded under German rule. However, hundreds of thousands of Austrians fought as German soldiers during World War II, with many serving in the Wehrmacht, Waffen-SS, and the elite military corps of the Nazi Party, the SS. Over 1.3 million Austrians were drafted between 1938 and 1945, and approximately 250,000 Austrians were killed or missing in action by the end of the war.
Austrian soldiers were just as responsible for Nazi atrocities on the Eastern Front, and many were held as prisoners of war in camps in the Soviet Union. In addition, more than 20,000 Austrians were killed in US and British bombing raids. As Austrian men were enlisted in the German army, the lack of workers brought compulsory labour on a large scale to Austria, with foreign workers from other European countries and concentration camp inmates forced to work in industry and agriculture.
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Austrian independence and occupation zones
Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, with the support of the majority of the Austrian population. The country was then incorporated into Germany and became an integral part of the Third Reich. The Anschluss saw around 10% of the population join the Nazi Party, and over 1.3 million Austrians were drafted into the Wehrmacht between 1938 and 1945.
During World War II, Austria was occupied by the Allies and declared independent from Nazi Germany on April 27, 1945, as a result of the Vienna offensive. This was confirmed by the Berlin Declaration for Germany on June 5, 1945. The occupation ended when the Austrian State Treaty came into force on July 27, 1955.
In 1943, the Allies agreed in the Declaration of Moscow that Austria would be regarded as the first victim of Nazi aggression, despite its role in Nazi crimes. This declaration, along with the Berlin Declaration, stated that Austria would be treated as a liberated and independent country after the war.
Following World War II, Austria was divided into four occupation zones, each controlled by one of the four Allied nations: the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France. This division is similar to what was done in Germany. Vienna, the capital, was also subdivided and controlled collectively by the four Allied nations through the Allied Control Council.
The Soviet Union's occupation zone included the Austrian capital, Vienna, and the country's oil fields. The Soviets assumed control over Austrian oil, and their zone of occupation also included many businesses, which they amalgamated into the USIA, a conglomerate of over 400 enterprises. The USIA controlled a substantial share of the glass, steel, oil, and transportation industries.
The Western Allies and the Soviet Union occupied Austria jointly until 1955, when the last occupation troops left in exchange for Austria's promise to remain neutral during the Cold War. Austria was granted full independence on May 15, 1955, after promising perpetual neutrality.
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Frequently asked questions
The German annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, was met with enthusiasm and overwhelming support from most of the Austrian population. The annexation was retroactively approved in a plebiscite that was manipulated to indicate that about 99% of Austrians wanted the union with Germany.
Before World War II, Jews played an important role in Austria's economic and cultural life, comprising about 9% of Vienna's population. However, by the start of the war in 1939, more than 100,000 Jews, or roughly half of all Austrian Jews, had left the country due to widespread threats, destruction, and confiscation of their property. During the war, the remaining Jewish population faced deportation and persecution, with over 65,000 Austrian Jews perishing in extermination camps.
The Wehrmacht drafted more than 1.3 million Austrians between 1938 and 1945, with 242,000 of them losing their lives. Austrians served as soldiers alongside Germans and were complicit in Nazi atrocities on the Eastern Front. Additionally, three Austrians rose to the rank of Generaloberst (colonel general) in the German armed forces: Lothar Rendulic, Alexander Löhr, and Erhard Raus.
During World War II, Austria was considered part of Nazi Germany, but the Allies agreed in the 1943 Moscow Declaration to treat Austria as the first victim of Nazi aggression. After the war, Austria was jointly occupied by the Western Allies and the Soviet Union until 1955, when it was granted full independence on the condition of perpetual neutrality.
