Omari Gates
The city of Salzburg, Austria, has a rich and complex history. Once the centre of power for the large Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city has undergone numerous changes in sovereignty. One notable event in its history is the annexation of Salzburg by the Austrian Empire in 1805, followed by its transfer to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1809 and its subsequent return to the Austrian Empire in 1816. However, a significant and more recent annexation occurred in 1938 when Salzburg, along with the rest of Austria, was annexed into Nazi Germany, becoming a seat of the Nazi Reichsgau Salzburg. This event, known as the Anschluss, marked a pivotal moment in the lead-up to World War II and had a profound impact on the region.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Annexation | 12 March 1938 |
| Annexed by | Nazi Germany |
| Previous Political Status | Republic |
| Previous Economic Status | Suffered from economic depression and high unemployment |
| Reason for Annexation | Austria was rich in raw materials and labour |
| Result of Annexation | Salzburg became seat of the Nazi Reichsgau Salzburg |
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What You'll Learn
- Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805
- After Austria's defeat at Wagram, Salzburg was transferred to Bavaria in 1809
- The Congress of Vienna and Treaty of Munich returned Salzburg to Austria in 1816
- Salzburg was annexed to Nazi Germany in 1938
- Austria was declared permanently neutral in 1955
Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805
Salzburg, the fourth-largest city in Austria, has a rich history dating back to the Stone Age. The city was established as a Roman town called Juvavum around 15 BC but was eventually abandoned by the fall of the Roman Empire. In 696 CE, Bishop Rupert of Salzburg received the remains of the Roman town as a gift from Duke Theodo II of Bavaria. This marked the rebirth of the city, which became a seat of the archbishop in 798.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Salzburg lost its independence and was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805, along with the Berchtesgaden Provostry. This annexation occurred after Austria's defeat by France in 1805, and Salzburg became part of the compensation for Austria's loss of various Italian and German possessions. However, in 1809, following Austria's defeat at Wagram, the territory of Salzburg was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria.
After the Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Munich in 1816, Salzburg was returned to Austria but without Rupertigau and Berchtesgaden, which remained under Bavarian control. Salzburg became integrated into the Province of Salzach, and its ruler resided in Linz. In 1850, Salzburg's status was elevated as it became the capital of the Duchy of Salzburg, a crownland of the Austrian Empire. The city continued to flourish, and in 1866, it became part of Austria-Hungary, retaining its position as a crownland's capital.
Salzburg's fortunes changed with the outbreak of World War I and the subsequent dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city then underwent another significant shift in 1938, when Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany, an event known as the "Anschluss." This annexation occurred on March 12, 1938, when German troops marched into Austria, and Salzburg became a seat of the Nazi Reichsgau Salzburg, an administrative division of the Third Reich.
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After Austria's defeat at Wagram, Salzburg was transferred to Bavaria in 1809
The city of Salzburg, Austria, has a long and complex history. In the 6th century, the Romano-Celtic population that occupied the area came under the rule of the Baiuvarii. In 696 CE, Bishop Rupert of Salzburg received the remains of a Roman town from Duke Theodo II of Bavaria as a gift.
Fast forward to the early 19th century, and Salzburg was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805. However, this annexation was short-lived. In 1809, after Austria's defeat at the Battle of Wagram, Salzburg was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria. This battle was a significant event in the Napoleonic Wars, pitting Emperor Napoleon's French and allied army against the Austrian army led by Archduke Charles of Austria-Teschen. The battle took place on July 5 and 6, 1809, and resulted in a decisive victory for Napoleon, forcing Austria to sign an armistice. The defeat at Wagram shattered Austrian morale, and the subsequent Treaty of Schönbrunn resulted in significant territorial losses for the Austrian Empire.
As a result of the battle's outcome, Salzburg became a part of Bavaria. This transfer of power was not to last, however. Following the Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Munich in 1816, Salzburg was returned to Austrian rule, although it lost some territories, including Rupertigau and Berchtesgaden, which remained under Bavarian control.
The city of Salzburg continued to develop and flourish under Austrian rule. By the 17th century, it had become a centre of the Counter-Reformation, with numerous Baroque churches and monasteries built during this period. The city's famous fortress, Hohensalzburg, dates back to the 11th century and is one of the largest medieval fortresses in Europe.
Salzburg's status within the Austrian Empire evolved over time. In 1850, its position was restored as the capital of the Duchy of Salzburg, a crownland of the empire. Subsequently, in 1866, it became part of Austria-Hungary as the capital of a crownland.
During the 20th century, Salzburg underwent further political changes. With the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, the city was annexed into Nazi Germany in 1938, along with the rest of Austria. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, resulted in the persecution of Jewish citizens and political opponents, who were sent to concentration camps.
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The Congress of Vienna and Treaty of Munich returned Salzburg to Austria in 1816
The Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Munich were a series of international diplomatic meetings that took place from September 1814 to June 1815. The meetings were chaired by Austrian statesman Klemens von Metternich and were held in Vienna, Austria. The objective of the Congress was to provide a long-term peace plan for Europe by settling critical issues arising from the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars through negotiation.
The Congress of Vienna and the Treaty of Munich resulted in the return of Salzburg to Austria in 1816. Salzburg had previously been annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805, but was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1809 after Austria's defeat at Wagram. The Treaty of Munich in 1816 definitively returned Salzburg to Austria, although the regions of Rupertigau and Berchtesgaden remained under Bavarian control.
The return of Salzburg to Austria was part of a broader set of territorial changes agreed upon at the Congress of Vienna. For example, Prussia received a significant portion of Saxony, while Austria regained control of the Tirol and former Illyrian Provinces, and received Lombardy-Venetia in Italy and Ragusa in Dalmatia. The United Kingdom also expanded its colonial holdings, retaining control of Cape Colony in South Africa, Tobago, and Ceylon, among other territories.
The Congress of Vienna was significant because it represented an attempt to create a diplomatic framework that brought together representatives from all major European powers (except the Ottoman Empire) to discuss and negotiate a new political order for the continent. The format of the Congress, developed by Austrian Foreign Minister Klemens von Metternich, was the first occasion in history where national representatives and other stakeholders came together in one city to discuss and formulate the conditions of treaties.
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Salzburg was annexed to Nazi Germany in 1938
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the country for the Third Reich. This annexation of Austria, including Salzburg, into Nazi Germany is known as the Anschluss, which translates to "joining" or "connection" in German.
The idea of the Anschluss—a united Austria and Germany that would form a "Greater Germany"—emerged after the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and the German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. Support for the idea grew after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, and the subsequent founding of the Republic of German-Austria, which attempted to unite with Germany. However, the 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles prohibited this union and stripped Austria of some territories.
In the early 1930s, worldwide depression and unemployment shattered traditional Austrian society, leading to a dictatorship under Engelbert Dollfuss in 1933. Civil war broke out in February 1934, and the Socialist Party was outlawed. A coup d'etat by the National Socialists failed in July, but Dollfuss was assassinated by Nazis. By 1936, the damage to Austria from a German boycott was immense, and Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg was forced to make an agreement with Germany, signing a deal with German ambassador Franz von Papen. This deal allowed for the release of Nazis imprisoned in Austria and promised to respect Austrian sovereignty, in exchange for Austria declaring itself a "German state" that would follow Germany's foreign policy lead.
In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government by force and unite the nation with Nazi Germany. Schuschnigg called a national vote on the question of the Anschluss, but before the plebiscite could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler, resigned, and pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" into the country. On March 12, 1938, German troops moved into Austria, including Salzburg, and political opponents, Jewish citizens, and other minorities were arrested and deported to concentration camps. Salzburg became the seat of the Nazi Reichsgau Salzburg administrative division.
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Austria was declared permanently neutral in 1955
Salzburg, the fourth-largest city in Austria, was annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805, along with the Berchtesgaden Provostry. However, in 1809, after Austria's defeat at Wagram, the territory was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria. Salzburg was returned to Austria in 1816 per the Treaty of Munich, but this time without Rupertigau and Berchtesgaden, which remained under Bavarian control.
Now, onto the topic of Austria's neutrality:
Austria's commitment to neutrality has been a deeply ingrained element of its national identity since 1955. This commitment has influenced its foreign policy and participation in international organizations. For example, Austria's membership in the European Union and its predecessor organizations was controversial due to its neutrality. Austria only joined the EU in 1995, along with Finland and Sweden, which had also declared their neutrality during the Cold War.
Austria actively engages in UN-led peacekeeping and humanitarian missions, such as KFOR and EUFOR, demonstrating its contribution to international efforts while maintaining its neutral status. The country's neutrality has been periodically reaffirmed, such as through its participation in NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1995.
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Frequently asked questions
Salzburg was first annexed to the Austrian Empire in 1805.
In 1809, Salzburg was transferred to the Kingdom of Bavaria after Austria's defeat at Wagram.
Yes, in 1816 Salzburg was returned to Austria, but without Rupertigau and Berchtesgaden, which remained with Bavaria.
In 1850, Salzburg's status was restored as the capital of the Duchy of Salzburg, a crownland of the Austrian Empire.
Yes, in 1938, Salzburg was annexed by Nazi Germany as part of the annexation of the Federal State of Austria.
