Lyla Lindsey
The Russian occupation of Austria, also known as the Soviet occupation of Austria, began in 1945 after the country was liberated from Nazi Germany. The Soviet Union, along with the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, divided Austria into four occupation zones, with Vienna split among all four countries. The occupation ended on July 27, 1955, when the Austrian State Treaty came into force, marking the country's independence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the end of the Russian occupation of Austria | 27 July 1955 |
| Date of the beginning of the Russian occupation of Austria | 1945 |
| Name of the treaty that ended the Russian occupation of Austria | Austrian State Treaty |
| Number of occupation zones in Austria | 4 |
| Countries that occupied Austria | Britain, France, the U.S., and the USSR |
| City that was divided among the four occupying countries | Vienna |
| Year when the Soviet Union started to negotiate the conclusion of a treaty | 1948 |
| Year when the Soviet Union started to concentrate on using normal Russian methods of political pressure, propaganda, and infiltration in Austria | 2005 |
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What You'll Learn
- The Soviet Union's methods to prevent Austrian revival under Western influence
- The Soviet Union's acceptance of a settlement of the German assets question
- The Soviet occupation's impact on Austrian civilians
- The Allied Council's role in governing occupied Austria
- The Soviet Union's use of propaganda in Austria
The Soviet Union's methods to prevent Austrian revival under Western influence
The Soviet occupation of Austria lasted from 1945 until 1955, and during this time, the Soviet Union implemented several methods to prevent Austrian revival under Western influence. Here are some key strategies they employed:
Military Presence and Occupation:
The Soviet Union maintained a significant military presence in Austria, with troops occupying the country until 1955. This included the presence of Soviet combat units and occupation forces, such as the Red Army, which played a role in enforcing Soviet authority and deterring Western influence.
Opposition to Early Settlement:
The Soviet Union opposed any early settlement of the Austrian State Treaty, seeking to prolong their influence in the country. They aimed for terms that would grant them indefinite scope for interference in Austria's internal affairs, allowing them to shape the country's political and economic landscape.
Political Pressure and Propaganda:
The Soviets employed traditional Russian methods of political pressure and propaganda to influence Austrian politics. They accepted settlements that allowed them to maintain a degree of interference in Austria's economy, particularly in the oil sector, where they gained control of valuable oilfields.
Control of German Assets:
With the consent of the Western Allies, the Soviet Union laid claim to German assets in Austria within their zone of occupation. This provided them with economic leverage and the opportunity to exert influence in various branches of Austria's economy.
Looting and Reparations:
Soviet secret police teams, the NKVD, engaged in looting and extracted reparations by seizing industrial plants and production installations, as well as various goods. This not only provided economic benefits but also served as a form of retribution for Nazi atrocities during the war.
Neutrality Agreement:
The Soviet Union insisted on Austria's military neutrality, which was a departure from their typical peace treaty terms. This neutrality agreement ensured that Austria would not align itself with Western powers or join Western defensive alliances, preventing a potential revival under Western influence.
The Soviet Union's strategies in Austria were shaped by their desire to counter Western influence and maintain their own dominance in the region during the Cold War. These methods had varying levels of success, and ultimately, Austria emerged as an independent state, navigating a delicate balance between East and West.
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The Soviet Union's acceptance of a settlement of the German assets question
The Soviet occupation of Austria ended on July 27, 1955, when the Austrian State Treaty came into force. The Soviet Union, along with the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, occupied Austria at the end of World War II.
The Soviet Union's primary objective during the occupation was to prevent Austria from falling under Western influence and to maintain influence in the country's internal affairs. However, by 1948, the Soviet Union indicated a willingness to conclude a treaty and withdraw occupying forces. This shift may have been influenced by the breakdown of the Conference of the Council of Foreign Ministers regarding Germany, as the Soviet Union sought to keep negotiations regarding Austria active.
The Soviet Union accepted a settlement of the German assets question, which provided them with valuable assets in the spheres of oil extraction and exploration in Austria. This settlement gave them possession of the Zistersdorf oil fields, which they used to form a well-armed corps of factory guards. Despite this gain, the settlement did not provide the extensive means of interference in Austria's economy that the Soviet Union had initially sought.
The overall Soviet policy in Austria during the occupation was characterized by the maintenance of troops, opposition to early settlement negotiations, and the use of political pressure, propaganda, and infiltration. The acceptance of the settlement of the German assets question was a critical component of the broader dynamics between the Soviet Union and the Western Allies during the occupation of Austria.
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The Soviet occupation's impact on Austrian civilians
The Soviet occupation of Austria lasted from 1945 to 1955, and its impact on Austrian civilians was varied.
Liberation and Independence
The Soviet Union, along with the United Kingdom, the United States, and France, played a role in liberating and declaring Austria independent from Nazi Germany on April 27, 1945. This was a significant step towards restoring Austria as an independent state within its pre-1938 boundaries, separate from Germany. The Soviets, therefore, contributed to Austria's freedom from Nazi rule and the reversal of the Anschluss, which had integrated Austria into Nazi Germany.
Political Violence and Arrests
During the initial eight months of the Soviet occupation, Soviet military tribunals arrested around 800 Austrian civilians. The charges included membership in the Nazi Werewolf resistance group, espionage, maltreatment of Soviet POWs and slave laborers, weapons possession, war crimes, violent acts, and criminal activities. By the end of the occupation in 1955, the Soviets had arrested a total of 2,400 Austrians, with 1,250 prosecuted for various offenses.
However, it is important to note that Moscow did not attempt to impose a communist dictatorship in Austria, which limited the scale of political violence experienced by Austrians compared to other countries occupied by the Red Army. The Soviets also issued directives instructing their troops to respect Austrian civilians, their traditions, families, and private property, and to distinguish them from German occupiers.
Economic Exploitation
The Soviets engaged in economic exploitation during their occupation of Austria. They expropriated over 450 formerly German-owned businesses, and by 1955, most of these companies were close to bankruptcy. Additionally, local governments were burdened with the task of feeding and clothing the Red Army, which was challenging given the war's ravages. The Soviets also seized German assets in Austria, as agreed upon by the Western Allies, and extracted reparations through requisitions, impacting Austria's economy.
Social Impact
The presence of Soviet troops led to social consequences for Austrian civilians. Sexual relations between Soviet men and Austrian women occurred, resulting in an estimated 8,000 to 30,000 "soldier's children" born between 1946 and 1953. These relationships and children faced discrimination and bullying due to the existing Nazi image of the Soviet soldiers as "wild hordes from the East." Additionally, "men in Soviet uniform" were associated with a significant proportion of registered crimes in Austrian police records for 1946, including looting and assaults.
Negotiations and Withdrawal
The Soviet Union's primary objective during the occupation was to prevent Austria from falling under Western influence and to maintain influence over its internal affairs. Negotiations regarding Austrian independence and the withdrawal of occupying forces continued for several years, with the Soviets initially resisting a settlement. However, by 1948, the Soviets lifted many objections, and the Austrian State Treaty came into force on July 27, 1955, marking the end of the occupation.
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The Allied Council's role in governing occupied Austria
The Allied Control Council (ACC) or Allied Control Authority, also referred to as the Four Powers, was the governing body of the Allied occupation zones in Austria after World War II. The council consisted of the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, and France.
The ACC played a significant role in governing occupied Austria, issuing a substantial number of laws, directives, orders, and proclamations. They dealt with various issues, including the abolition of Nazi laws and organisations, demilitarisation, denazification, and more mundane matters like telephone tariffs and venereal diseases. The council was also responsible for determining the occupation zones in Austria, with Vienna being divided among all four Allies.
In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Austria was jointly occupied by the four Allied Powers, who agreed to treat Austria as a liberated and independent country. The occupation ended when the Austrian State Treaty came into force on 27 July 1955.
The Allied Control Council issued directives to shape the occupation and govern Austria. For example, the Soviet commanders ordered their troops to respect Austrian traditions, families, and private property, positioning themselves as liberators rather than occupiers. The ACC also issued directives for the abolition of Nazi laws, organisations, demilitarisation, and denazification.
Over time, the Allied Control Council's role evolved, and they gradually relaxed their control over Austrian governance. The Second Control Agreement, signed on 28 June 1946, marked a shift towards Austrian independence, with the Parliament being relieved of direct Allied control. From then on, its decisions could only be overturned by a unanimous vote of all four Allies. This period saw the emergence of inter-Allied disagreements, particularly regarding policies towards war criminals, which led to a decline in cooperation.
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The Soviet Union's use of propaganda in Austria
The Soviet occupation of Austria lasted from 1945 until 1955, during which time the country was divided into four occupation zones, with the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the Soviet Union each controlling a portion. The Soviet Union's use of propaganda in Austria during this period was multifaceted and aimed to serve various objectives.
One key aspect of Soviet propaganda in Austria was the effort to differentiate ordinary Austrians from Nazis and to portray the Red Army as liberators rather than aggressors. On April 4, 1945, Soviet commanders issued a directive to the frontline soldiers, proclaiming that Austria was Hitler's first victim and that their mission was to liberate the country and defeat the German Army. This propaganda campaign aimed to counter Nazi propaganda, which had spread fear among Austrians by depicting Soviet soldiers as brutal invaders. The Soviet directive encouraged troops to distinguish between German occupiers and Austrian civilians, urging them to respect Austrian traditions, families, and private property. This shift in propaganda tone was designed to foster a more positive image of the Soviet Union among Austrians and discourage criminal conduct by Soviet soldiers.
Another important goal of Soviet propaganda during the occupation was to sustain the morale of the Red Army troops. Throughout the war, the Soviet leadership utilized vicious anti-German hate propaganda, which resonated strongly with the soldiers due to the Axis genocidal conduct in the Soviet Union. However, as the war transitioned into occupation, the tone of Soviet propaganda evolved. While the anti-German sentiment remained, there was a growing emphasis on treating Austrian civilians with respect and restraint. This change in propaganda messaging was influenced by the recognition that Austria was not a direct threat to the Soviet Union and that maintaining positive relations with the local population was crucial for stability.
The Soviet Union also employed propaganda to shape the political landscape in Austria. While Moscow did not impose a communist dictatorship in the country, it sought to promote communist ideals and influence Austrian public opinion. The Communist Party of Austria, however, was ultimately defeated in the post-war parliamentary elections, indicating that the Soviet propaganda efforts did not fully achieve their desired political outcomes.
Additionally, the Soviet Union utilized propaganda to further its economic interests in Austria. The country was rich in resources, particularly oil, which the Soviets sought to exploit. By controlling the Zistersdorf oil fields, the Soviet Union gained a valuable asset and a source of influence in Austria's economy. The presence of Soviet factory guards at these oil fields also raised concerns about potential dangers and interference in Austria's internal affairs.
Furthermore, the Soviet occupation of Austria was marked by complex dynamics between the occupying powers. The Western Allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom, competed with the Soviet Union for influence in the country. The Marshall Plan, for example, was primarily deployed against the Soviet zone, receiving only a small portion of the investments directed towards other zones. The Western Allies also opposed the Kremlin's plans for burdensome war reparations on Austria, recognizing the potential for economic destabilization. These competing interests between the occupying powers influenced the propaganda narratives employed by the Soviet Union, as they sought to secure their position and promote their agenda in the complex political landscape of occupied Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
The Russian occupation of Austria ended on July 27, 1955, when the Austrian State Treaty came into force.
The Austrian State Treaty was an agreement that declared Austria independent from Nazi Germany.
The Soviet Union's policy towards Austria during the occupation was to prevent the country from falling under Western influence and to interfere in its internal affairs.
The Soviet occupation of Austria had a significant impact on the country's economy. The Soviets extracted reparations through requisitions and confiscated goods worth billions of Schillings.
The Soviet occupation of Austria had a complex impact on Austrian society. On the one hand, there were instances of crime, plunder, and sexual relations between Soviet soldiers and Austrian women. On the other hand, the Soviets also contributed to the restoration of democracy in Vienna and the development of welfare programs.
