Leslie Massey
Austria has a dark history that it has struggled to come to terms with. The country was the first to be invaded by Nazi Germany in 1938, and many Austrians were pleased with the unification of the two countries. The majority of the Austrian population welcomed Hitler, and the country was responsible for a disproportionate number of SS officers, concentration camp personnel, and camp leaders. In addition, the country has a history of imperial decline, and its citizens can be highly critical and negative. Austrians are also known for their public displays of affection and binge drinking, which may be off-putting to some.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Austrians are overly critical | Austrians tend to be overly negative and treat each other in an aggressive and hostile manner. |
| Austrians are unhygienic | Austrians have no shame when it comes to urinating in public spaces and a large percentage of Austrian men do not wash their hands after using the toilet. |
| Austrians are promiscuous | Austrians are comfortable with public displays of affection and sexuality. |
| Austrians are binge drinkers | Austrians are allowed to drink alcohol in public, but this has led to binge drinking problems in cities like Vienna. |
| Austrians are unfriendly | Austrians can be unkind to their neighbors and co-workers, playing loud music at odd hours and smoking in shared spaces. |
| Austrians supported the Nazis | Austrians welcomed Hitler and the unification of Austria and Germany in 1938, and many Austrians were involved in the crimes of the Third Reich. |
| Austrians were complicit in Nazi war crimes | Austrians made up about 13% of the SS, 40% of concentration camp personnel, and 70% of those who headed concentration camps. |
| Austrians denied responsibility for Nazi war crimes | After World War II, Austria promoted the "victim theory," portraying themselves as the first victim of Nazi aggression rather than acknowledging their complicity. |
| Austrians struggled with isolation | In the 19th century, Austria lost key allies like Russia and was portrayed as untrustworthy and weak, leading to increasing isolation. |
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What You'll Learn
Austrians' involvement in Nazi crimes
Austria's involvement in Nazi crimes has been a subject of historical debate and reflection, particularly in relation to the country's role during World War II and the aftermath of Nazi rule. Here is an overview of some key aspects of Austrians' involvement in Nazi crimes:
Annexation by Nazi Germany: In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria with significant support from the Austrian population. This event, known as the Anschluss, transformed Austria overnight, as Austrian Nazis and their German counterparts collaborated to nazify various aspects of Austrian society. Austrians participated in the persecution of the country's Jewish population and enforced Nazi policies, actively contributing to the mass murder of Jews across Europe.
Austrian Membership in the Nazi Party and Military: After the Anschluss, approximately 700,000 Austrians, or 10% of the population, joined the Nazi Party. Additionally, the Wehrmacht drafted more than 1.3 million Austrians between 1938 and 1945, with 242,000 of them losing their lives. Austrians served loyally in the German military and were complicit in Nazi atrocities on the Eastern Front.
Key Austrian Individuals in the Nazi Regime: Several Austrians held prominent positions in the Nazi regime and were directly involved in Nazi crimes. Arthur Seyß-Inquart, for example, played a role in covering up Nazi crimes in the Netherlands and was convicted of serious war crimes in Poland, for which he was sentenced to death. Ernst Kaltenbrunner replaced Heydrich as the leader of the Reichssicherheitshauptamt (RSHA). Odilo Globocnik, an SS and police leader in Poland, supervised the construction of four extermination camps (Belzec, Sobibor, Treblinka, and Majdanek) and was responsible for the murder of about 2 million Polish Jews.
Austrian Involvement in War Crimes: Austrians were involved in various war crimes during World War II. For instance, Austrian gauleiters Hugo Jury, Franz Hofer, and Friedrich Rainer participated in Nazi crimes. Alois Brunner, an Austrian SS officer, worked as Adolf Eichmann's assistant. Karl Silberbauer, another Austrian, arrested Anne Frank in 1944. Wolfgang Abel, a professor of racial biology, was involved in the compulsory sterilization of so-called "Rhineland Bastards" and conducted racial analyses on Soviet prisoners of war.
Denazification and the Victim Theory: In the post-war period, denazification efforts in Austria were relatively quick and did little to address Austrians' involvement in Nazi crimes. The Austrian state denied continuity with the Nazi regime and cultivated a myth of Austrian victimhood, claiming that Austria was the first victim of Nazi Germany. This victim theory persisted for decades, and it was not until the 1980s and 1990s that Austrians began to collectively acknowledge their shared responsibility for Nazi crimes.
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Soviet occupation and sexual assaults
In the aftermath of World War II, Austria was jointly occupied by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France. The country was divided into four occupation zones, with Vienna being subdivided among the four Allies. The Soviet zone included the states of Vorarlberg, North Tyrol, Burgenland, Lower Austria, and the Mühlviertel area of Upper Austria, north of the Danube.
The Soviet occupation of Austria lasted from 1945 to 1955. During this period, the Red Army committed widespread looting and sexual assaults against the civilian population. The sexual violence began in the first days and weeks after the Soviet victory, with Soviet troops engaging in systematic rape and sexual violence against women. Estimates of the number of Austrian women raped by Soviet soldiers in Vienna alone range from 70,000 to 100,000. One study found that 5.8% of all women between 15 and 60 years of age were raped in one Austrian district. The assaults were often accompanied by excessive alcohol consumption and straggling from duty.
While the Soviet leadership frequently issued orders prohibiting attacks on civilians and threatening harsh penalties for perpetrators, these crimes continued throughout the occupation. The conduct of Soviet troops undermined their rule in the occupation zone and delegitimized their Austrian allies, the Communist Party of Austria. The widespread sexual violence had lasting social effects, with the collective anguish among the affected communities being described as "nearly unbearable."
The Soviet occupation of Austria was part of a broader pattern of sexual violence committed by Soviet soldiers during their advance into Nazi Germany and Central Europe. Mass rape by Soviet troops first began during the Battle of Romania and the Budapest offensive in Hungary. As they closed in on the Third Reich, Soviet soldiers committed hundreds of thousands of sexual assaults, robberies, and murders. The majority of the assaults took place in the Soviet occupation zone of Germany, with estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to as many as two million German women raped.
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Austrians' negative attitude and aggression
Austrians have been described as exhibiting a negative attitude and aggression in several ways. One common perception is that Austrians tend to be highly critical and negative towards change, innovation, or anything that deviates from the familiar. They are known to express their disapproval openly and in a direct manner, which some may perceive as hostile or aggressive. This candour extends to their personal interactions; Austrians are unlikely to hide their true feelings or engage in behaviours that might be considered shameful or embarrassing in other cultures.
Another aspect that may contribute to the perception of Austrian aggression is their driving habits. Studies have found a correlation between high aggression scores and accidents on the road. Austrian drivers tend to exhibit aberrant driving behaviours, such as aggressive driving, which can lead to a higher rate of accidents. This behaviour is often justified by the driver's emotional state or the actions of other drivers.
Additionally, public drinking is permitted almost everywhere in Austria, and there is a culture of binge drinking, particularly among young people. This can lead to anti-social behaviour and a lack of consideration for others, with loud music, smoking in shared spaces, and other forms of disruptive behaviour being common. Austrians have also been observed to engage in highly public displays of affection, which may be considered excessive or inappropriate in other cultures.
However, it is important to note that these behaviours do not necessarily reflect the attitudes of all Austrians and that cultural norms and values can vary significantly within a country. While some may perceive these behaviours as negative or aggressive, others may appreciate the honesty and openness that Austrians exhibit.
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Austrians' binge drinking and smoking
Binge drinking and smoking in public places are common in Austria, and these habits can be quite off-putting to visitors. Public drinking is allowed almost everywhere in the country, and this, combined with a culture of binge drinking, has led to discussions about creating alcohol-free zones in several cities, including Vienna. Austrians also tend to be heavy smokers, and they may not always be considerate of non-smokers. For example, they may smoke in an enclosed space without considering those who may be bothered by secondhand smoke.
The Austrian culture of drinking and smoking is not limited to any particular demographic group. People of all ages and social backgrounds participate in these activities. However, it is worth noting that younger people tend to be more prone to binge drinking, and it is an increasing issue among this demographic.
While Austrians may be friendly to tourists, their behaviour among themselves can be quite different. They can be aggressive and openly hostile towards each other, especially if they believe someone has done something wrong. This directness may be off-putting to those who are not used to it, and it can create a negative impression of the country.
Additionally, Austrians tend to have a negative outlook and criticise everything. This cultural tendency, combined with their directness, can make it difficult for newcomers to adjust to life in Austria. It may take some time to get used to the Austrian way of communicating and their strong opinions.
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Austria's loss of influence in Europe
The Thirty Years' War significantly diminished the Habsburgs' control of the Holy Roman Empire. While their territorial losses were relatively small, the power of the ruler was reduced, and the balance of power in Europe shifted. The Thirty Years' War, with its forced conversions and evictions, had a devastating impact on the empire's influence and stability. The Habsburgs' pursuit of religious purification further disrupted the region, and their attempts to re-Catholicize Hungary proved unsuccessful.
In the 18th century, Austria faced challenges on multiple fronts. The War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748) resulted in the loss of most of Silesia to the Prussians, including one of its richest and most industrialized provinces. This marked a significant blow to Austria's economic and territorial strength. Additionally, the choice of Francis Stephen of Lorraine as heir to the throne in 1736 proved unpopular with other powers, particularly France, further straining Austria's influence.
The Crimean War marked another turning point for Austria's influence in Europe. During this conflict, Austria maintained a policy of hostile neutrality towards Russia, abandoning its alliance with them. As a result, Russia did not intervene in the 1859 Franco-Austrian War, which led to the end of Austrian influence in Italy. The 1866 Austro-Prussian War further diminished Austria's standing in Europe.
The rise of nationalism and liberal ideals also challenged Austria's influence. Despite Metternich's efforts to suppress these movements through policies like the Carlsbad Decrees of 1819, they continued to gain momentum. The spread of nationalism in Austrian-controlled areas, such as north Italy and the German states, posed a significant threat to Habsburg rule.
Finally, the Anschluss in 1938, when Austria united with Germany under the Third Reich, marked a significant shift. While some considered Austria a victim of Nazi aggression, the country's active support for the regime and its role in the Holocaust damaged its international standing. Austria's involvement in World War II and the subsequent admission of collective responsibility for Nazi crimes further contributed to its loss of influence in Europe.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria has a dark history, including its involvement with Nazi Germany and the Holocaust. The country was invaded by Germany in 1938, and many Austrians supported the unification of the two countries and Hitler's regime.
Austria was an integral part of the Third Reich, with 700,000 people (10% of the population) joining the Nazi Party. Austrians also served as soldiers and were involved in Nazi atrocities on the Eastern Front.
The total number of deaths caused by Hitler's repressions in Austria is estimated to be 120,000. During the two years of Aktion T4 (1940-1941), 18,269 people deemed mentally ill were murdered in Hartheim Castle alone. Additionally, the majority of the Austrian population welcomed Hitler, and the country was a birthplace of many key Nazi figures, including Hitler himself.
Austrians have been criticised for their reluctance to acknowledge their country's involvement with Nazi Germany. While some have tried to portray Austria as a victim of Nazism, the country has struggled to come to grips with its past and accept collective responsibility for the crimes committed during the Nazi occupation.
