Leslie Massey
Austria's neutrality is a well-known aspect of its national identity. This neutrality was established in the aftermath of World War II, when the country was occupied by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. On May 15, 1955, these four powers signed the Austrian State Treaty in Vienna, which ended the occupation and declared Austria a free, independent, and neutral state. This treaty is still a part of the Austrian constitution and continues to influence the country's foreign policy, which has been described as active neutrality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of establishment as a neutral state | 26 October 1955 |
| Treaty | Austrian State Treaty (also known as the Austrian Independence Treaty) |
| Treaty signed | 15 May 1955 |
| Treaty came into force | 27 July 1955 |
| Treaty signatories | The Four Powers: the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union |
| Treaty declaration | Austria is a free, independent, and neutral state |
| Treaty stipulations | Austria cannot join a military alliance, allow the establishment of foreign military bases within Austria, or participate in a war |
| Treaty status | Part of the Austrian constitution |
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What You'll Learn
The Austrian State Treaty of 1955
Following World War II, Austria was jointly occupied by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France, with Vienna being subdivided among the four powers. This occupation lasted from 1945 until 1955, and Austria's status became a controversial subject during the Cold War. However, the climate for negotiations improved with the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 and the subsequent warming of relations known as the Khrushchev Thaw.
Negotiations with the Soviet foreign minister, Molotov, led to a breakthrough in February 1955. Austria promised perpetual neutrality, and on May 15, 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was signed by U.S. Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and the foreign ministers of the other three Allied occupying powers. This treaty granted Austria full independence and ended the four-power occupation. The last occupation troops left on October 25, 1955.
On October 26, 1955, the Austrian Parliament declared the country permanently neutral through a constitutional act. This declaration was the direct consequence of the allied occupation and was promulgated voluntarily by the Republic of Austria. The declaration stated that Austria would not join any military alliances and would not permit foreign military bases on its territory.
The Austrian State Treaty was a triumph of diplomacy, negotiation, and patient political work. It symbolised the emergence of Austrian independence and became one of the fundamentals of Austria's identity. The country's peacekeepers have served with distinction in UN missions, and Austria has contributed to stability and democracy in Europe and beyond.
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Austria's declaration of neutrality
Austria's neutrality was established in the aftermath of World War II, during which the country was annexed into Nazi Germany. On 15 May 1955, the Austrian State Treaty was signed in Vienna, ending the occupation by the Four Powers: the United States, Great Britain, France, and the Soviet Union. This treaty declared Austria to be a free, independent, and neutral state, with the last foreign troops leaving on 26 October 1955.
The Declaration of Neutrality, enacted on 26 October 1955, was a constitutional act of parliament that formally established Austria's permanent neutrality. The declaration stated that Austria would not join any military alliances or permit foreign military bases on its territory. This was a direct consequence of the previous decade's occupation, during which the country was under the control of the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
Austria's neutrality has been a deeply ingrained element of its identity since 1955. The country has pursued a policy of "active neutrality," often hosting meetings between eastern and western powers. Austria is not a member of NATO, but it does participate in NATO's Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. Additionally, the Austrian Armed Forces have contributed to UN peacekeeping operations since 1997, with deployments in Kosovo, Lebanon, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and several other countries.
Austria's neutrality was tested in 2023 when the country joined the European Sky Shield Initiative, a project funding a European missile defense system in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The government argued that this did not violate their neutrality as resources were being pooled with other countries.
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Austria's independence from Nazi Germany
In the years leading up to the annexation, Austria's independence was threatened by increasing aggression from Nazi Germany and the presence of Austrian Nazis within the country. Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to maintain Austrian independence and national integrity in the face of growing German influence. He made efforts to release imprisoned Austrian Nazis and allow some Nazi newspapers into the country. However, by the winter of 1937-1938, Austria found itself diplomatically isolated, with the international community showing little interest in preserving its independence.
On February 12, 1938, Schuschnigg met with Hitler, who demanded control over Austria's foreign and military policies and insisted on placing Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart in charge of security matters. Schuschnigg gave in to Hitler's demands and signed the Berchtesgaden Agreement, which undermined Austrian sovereignty. On March 9, 1938, Schuschnigg announced his intention to hold a referendum on Austrian independence, but he was pressured by the Germans to cancel the plebiscite and resign on March 11. The annexation was proclaimed on March 13, 1938, and Austria became a federal state of Germany.
During World War II, Austria existed as a part of Nazi Germany, and it was only after the war that the Allied powers declared the annexation void and reestablished an independent Austria. The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 ended the allied occupation by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France. As a direct consequence of this occupation, Austria declared its permanent neutrality, which has since become an integral part of Austrian identity.
In summary, Austria's independence from Nazi Germany was a prolonged struggle that involved diplomatic efforts, attempts to maintain sovereignty, and ultimately, the intervention of Allied powers after World War II. The reestablished independent Austria voluntarily adopted neutrality, ensuring its non-participation in military alliances and the absence of foreign military bases on its territory.
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Austria's relations with the US
Austria was established as a neutral state on 26 October 1955. This was a direct consequence of the occupation by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France between 1945 and 1955.
Austria and the US have had a long history of relations, dating back to the 18th century. The US established consular relations with the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1797 and appointed its first US representative to Vienna in 1777, although Austria did not receive him. Official diplomatic relations between the two countries began in 1838, with the naming of Henry A. Muhlenberg as the first American Minister to Vienna.
The relationship between the two countries has not always been smooth, with strains occurring during the Revolutions of 1848 and World War I, when the US declared war on the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Friendly diplomatic relations were re-established in 1921, but were again terminated in 1938 when Nazi Germany annexed Austria.
During World War II, the US played an essential role in Austria's reconstruction and development, providing significant food aid and creating the European Recovery Program (ERP), also known as the Marshall Plan. Austria was among the first countries to establish a bi-national Fulbright Commission in 1950, which has facilitated academic exchange between the two countries.
Since the post-World War II period, Austria and the US have enjoyed strong relations, with shared values and perspectives, including a support for human rights and the rule of law. The two countries have also collaborated in military interventions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, and Afghanistan.
Austria's decision to join the European Sky Shield Initiative in 2023, created in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, has been a more recent development in its relations with the US. Austria has argued that its participation does not violate its neutrality as resources are being pooled with other countries.
Overall, the US and Austria have a close bond, with people-to-people contacts in business, entrepreneurship, the arts, education, and various other exchanges.
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Austria's participation in peacekeeping operations
Austria was established as a neutral state on 26 October 1955, when the Declaration of Neutrality was enacted as a constitutional act of parliament. The declaration was made following the Austrian State Treaty, which ended the occupation of Austria by the Soviet Union, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, which had begun in 1945.
Since declaring its neutrality, Austria has actively participated in peacekeeping operations, contributing significantly to the United Nations' efforts to maintain peace and international security. Austria's involvement in peacekeeping demonstrates its commitment to global stability while upholding its neutral status.
Austria's contributions to peacekeeping operations have been widely recognised, with several Austrians appointed as commanders of peacekeeping operations by the UN Secretary-General. This recognition underscores Austria's valuable role within the United Nations framework. Austria actively supports the UN's initiatives to efficiently plan and rapidly deploy peacekeeping forces, ensuring a swift response to emerging crises.
The protection of civilians, especially women and children, in conflict areas is a key priority for Austria. This commitment is reflected in their participation in various humanitarian missions. For instance, Austria is part of the KFOR mission, contributing up to 561 soldiers, alongside NATO forces and other neutral countries such as Switzerland. Austria's involvement in KFOR demonstrates its willingness to collaborate with international partners while upholding its neutral principles.
In 1997, Austria further solidified its legal basis for participation in peacekeeping operations by adopting the Federal Constitutional Act on Cooperation and Solidarity in Deploying Units and Individuals Abroad. This legislation provided an updated framework for the involvement of Austrian personnel in UN operations, ensuring their continued contribution to international peace and security efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria became a neutral state on 26 October 1955.
The Austrian State Treaty, also known as the Austrian Independence Treaty, was signed by the Austrian government and representatives of the allied forces on 15 May 1955. The treaty declared Austria a free, independent, and neutral state.
The Austrian State Treaty declares that Austria can’t join a military alliance, allow the establishment of foreign military bases within Austria or participate in a war.
Austria has pursued a policy of "active neutrality" since the signing of the Austrian State Treaty. It has done so by hosting meetings between the east and the west and participating in UN peacekeeping operations.
