Lexi Webster
Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, but it was in the 19th century that German nationalism emerged as a nationalist movement among the German-speaking population of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. German nationalism favours close ties with Germany and the possibility of Austrian incorporation into a Greater Germany. However, Austrian nationalism has historically rejected a German identity for Austrians, emphasising the non-Germanic heritage of Austrian culture. In the post-World War II period, proponents of Austrian nationalism have continued to emphasise the non-Germanic heritage of Austrian culture, including Celtic, Illyrian, Roman, Slavic and Magyar influences. Austrian nationalism has also been associated with Catholicism, with the Fatherland Front (VF) of the 1930s advocating Austrian nationalism and independence from Germany on the basis of protecting Austria's Catholic religious identity.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Austrian nationalism arose | During the Napoleonic Wars |
| Austrian nationalists | Rejected German identity and emphasised non-Germanic heritage |
| Austrian nationalists | Claimed Celtic heritage |
| Austrian nationalists | Expressed pride in Austria's Catholic religious identity |
| Austrian nationalists | Promoted Austrian independence from Germany |
| German nationalists | Favoured close ties with Germany |
| German nationalists | Wanted the incorporation of Austria into a Greater Germany |
| German nationalism | Arose in the 19th century as a nationalist movement amongst the German-speaking population of the Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| German nationalism | Supported by the intelligentsia: professors, teachers, and students |
| German nationalism | Supported by right-wing paramilitary groups |
| German nationalism | Supported by the Freedom Party |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian nationalism arose during the Napoleonic Wars
Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, with Joseph von Hormayr as a prominent Austrian nationalist political leader. The Austrian Empire, which included many different ethnic groups, was threatened by Napoleon's expansionist policies. During this time, the Austrian Empire was forced to make significant changes to its administrative and political structures to defend itself against Napoleon's armies. These changes helped to foster a sense of Austrian nationalism, as the various peoples within the empire were encouraged to unite against a common enemy.
The Napoleonic Wars were a time of great upheaval and change in Europe, and they had a profound impact on the development of nationalism across the continent. In the case of Austria, the threat of invasion and conquest by Napoleon's armies prompted a sense of unity and shared purpose among the diverse peoples of the Austrian Empire. This sense of unity was further strengthened by the need to defend the empire's territory and sovereignty.
Austrian nationalism during the Napoleonic Wars was also influenced by the ideas of Enlightenment and the French Revolution, which were spreading across Europe at the time. These ideas challenged the traditional power structures and promoted the concept of popular sovereignty, or the idea that political power should reside with the people. In the Austrian context, this meant that the various ethnic and cultural groups within the empire began to assert their own identities and aspirations, which often clashed with the interests of the ruling Habsburg monarchy.
Another factor contributing to the rise of Austrian nationalism during the Napoleonic Wars was the weakening of the Habsburg monarchy itself. The monarchy had already been facing internal challenges and social unrest in the decades leading up to the Napoleonic Wars. The financial burden and military defeats inflicted by Napoleon further weakened the monarchy's power and legitimacy, creating a vacuum that nationalist ideologies were able to fill.
Overall, the Napoleonic Wars played a crucial role in shaping Austrian nationalism by bringing together diverse peoples within the Austrian Empire in a common cause, challenging traditional power structures, and creating a sense of shared identity and purpose.
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Austrian nationalists opposed unification with Germany
Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, but the country has historically been divided between German nationalist democrats and Austrian nationalist conservatives. German nationalism (or Deutschnationalismus) is a political ideology and historical current in Austrian politics. It arose in the 19th century as a nationalist movement among the German-speaking population of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It favours close ties with Germany and the possibility of incorporating Austria into a Greater Germany.
After Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, desire for unification became associated with the Nazis, who sought to incorporate as many ethnic Germans outside Germany as possible into a "Greater Germany". Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg called a plebiscite (referendum) on Austrian independence in 1938, but the Germans pressured him to cancel it and resign. Hitler's popularity reached an unprecedented peak after he fulfilled the Anschluss, as he had completed the long-awaited idea of a Greater Germany. However, it should be noted that the Austrian population was subjected to extensive intimidation and suppression of the political opposition, and the annexation of Austria was a "fait accompli" as the German army had already occupied the country.
In the post-World War II period, proponents of an Austrian nation rejected a German identity for Austrians and emphasised the non-Germanic heritage of Austrian culture, including Celtic, Illyrian, Roman, Slavic, and Magyar influences.
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Austrian nationalism was influenced by Italian Fascism
Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, with Joseph von Hormayr as a prominent Austrian nationalist political leader at the time. However, the rise of Austrian nationalism was also influenced by Italian Fascism. The Fatherland Front (VF), established on 20 May 1933 by Christian Social Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss as the only legally permitted party in the country, was organised along the lines of Italian Fascism. It was a right-wing conservative, authoritarian, nationalist, and corporatist ruling political organisation of the Federal State of Austria. The Fatherland Front claimed to be a nonpartisan movement, aiming to unite all Austrians and overcome political and social divisions. It was strongly aligned with the Catholic Church and did not advocate any racial ideology, as Italian Fascism later did. The Front's main goal was to protect Austria's Catholic religious identity from what they considered a Protestant-dominated German state.
The Fatherland Front government of Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg rejected current pan-German aspirations to join Austria with a Protestant-dominated Germany. Dollfuss accepted that Austrians were Germans but opposed the idea of Catholic Austrians submitting to a Protestant-dominated Germany. Instead, he emphasised Austria's historical greatness, such as its role in the Holy Roman Empire, and argued for a federal state that recognised Austria's privileged place within a German Kulturnation. This stance was shared by other right-wing paramilitary groups like the Styrian Heimatschutz, inspired by Italian Fascism.
The Austrofascist constitution of the Federal State of Austria, established in May 1934, marked the end of democratic parliamentarianism and party pluralism. This period saw the rise of Engelbert Dollfuss and the creation of the Fatherland's Front, promoting Austrian nationalism and independence from Germany. The Austrian Civil War of 12-15 February 1934, also known as the "February Uprising" or the "February Fights", further highlighted the clash between the authoritarian right-wing government and the Republican Protection League.
After World War II, Austrian nationalism continued to evolve. Austrians began to reject their German identity and embraced a broader Austrian identity, even describing themselves as "Hitler's first victim". Proponents of an Austrian nation emphasised the non-Germanic heritage of Austrian culture, including Celtic, Illyrian, Roman, Slavic, and Magyar influences. This shift in national identity was influenced by the desire to distance themselves from Nazi Germany and its aftermath.
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German nationalism in Austria was popular in universities
German nationalism in Austria has a long history, dating back to the 19th century when it arose as a nationalist movement among the German-speaking population of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. This movement, known as "Deutschnationalismus" in German, favoured close ties with Germany and saw it as the nation-state for all ethnic Germans. The idea of uniting Austria and Germany has been a topic of discussion and debate since the 19th century, and it was particularly appealing to the well-educated intelligentsia, including professors, grammar school teachers, and students.
In the 1950s and 1960s, the German nationalist movement experienced a revival in universities, with the Freedom Party and its affiliated organisations, such as the Burschenschaften student fraternity, helping to spread German nationalist and liberal views. This movement was in contrast to Austrian nationalism, which was more conservative and undemocratic, supported by former Imperial bureaucrats, army officers, priests, and aristocrats. The Austrian nationalist faction ultimately overthrew the democratic republic in 1934 and established a regime rooted in "'Austrofascism', emphasising Austrian independence and Catholic religious identity.
The German nationalist movement within universities in the 1950s and 1960s built upon these earlier sentiments and found support among students and academics. The Freedom Party's liberal wing gradually overtook its pan-Germanist wing, and Austrian patriotism became incorporated into the party's ideology. However, the assumption of party leadership by Jörg Haider in 1986 was considered a triumph for the German nationalist faction, as he embraced right-wing populism.
It is worth noting that Austrian nationalism has also faced internal challenges, with rival nationalisms such as Bavarian nationalism proposing that Austria should join Bavaria instead of pursuing independence. Additionally, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany during the Anschlus marked a significant shift, as Austrian and German Nazis worked together to nazify Austrian life, with many Austrians participating enthusiastically.
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Austrian nationalism was challenged by German nationalism
However, Austrian nationalism asserted a distinct national identity, particularly emphasising the Catholic religious identity of Austrians in contrast to the predominantly Protestant religious identity of the Prussians. The Fatherland Front (VF), established in 1933 as the only legally permitted party in Austria, promoted Austrian nationalism and independence from Germany, claiming that Catholic Austria would not accept domination by a Protestant-led state, especially under the Nazi regime.
The conflict between Austrian and German nationalism was evident in the squabbles between German nationalist democrats and Austrian nationalist conservatives during the first decade of the First Republic. Ultimately, the Austrian nationalist faction overthrew the democratic republic in 1934, establishing a regime rooted in "Austrofascism". German nationalism was also represented by the Freedom Party, which was very active in universities in the 1950s and 1960s, spreading German nationalist and liberal views through student fraternities.
German nationalism in Austria was further influenced by figures such as Georg von Schönerer, who founded the "German-National Association" and the "Pan-German Society". He advocated for the complete Germanisation of the Empire and the annexation of all German-speaking territories of Austria-Hungary to the Prussian-led German Empire, rejecting any notion of an Austrian pan-ethnic identity. While Schönerer's racist German nationalism gained traction among the intelligentsia, attempts by school administrations to counteract these sentiments by encouraging civic pride and a "cult of personality" around the Emperor were largely unsuccessful.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian nationalism first arose during the Napoleonic Wars, with Joseph von Hormayr as a prominent Austrian nationalist political leader at the time.
German nationalism was a political ideology and historical current in Austrian politics. Austrian nationalists opposed German nationalism and annexation into Germany, especially under the Nazi regime, to protect Austria's Catholic religious identity.
In the 1920s, many Austrians believed that their country could not survive economically without the lands previously held by Austria-Hungary. Some wanted to restore the empire, while others wanted to unite with Germany. Austrian nationalism was also challenged by Bavarian nationalism, which proposed that Austria should join Bavaria. Ultimately, Austrian nationalists overthrew the democratic republic in 1934 and established a regime rooted in "Austrofascism".
