Lyla Lindsey
Austria and Germany have a shared history and close relations, with German being the official language of both countries and Germans being the majority ethnic group. In the past, Austria and Germany were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which came to an end during the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s and 1800s. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation, in which Prussia and Austria became reunited. This led to the rise of Pan-Germanism and diplomatic tensions between Prussia and Austria, as they had different proposals for unifying Germany. In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. Following World War II, Austria claimed independence from Germany and the Austrian State Treaty of 1955 banned the reunification of the two countries. While there have been debates and speculations about the possibility of Austria and Germany uniting, particularly in the context of a federalized European Union, many Austrians and Germans view themselves as having distinct identities and are skeptical of reunification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History of Reunification | Austria and Germany were unified under the Holy Roman Empire from 1156 to 1806. In 1804, Francis II, proclaimed the Austrian Empire as the remaining German States had become clients of Napoleon's French Empire. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation, in which Prussia and Austria reunited. In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria. |
| Current Relationship | Austria and Germany have close relations due to their shared history, language, and ethnicity. Both countries are members of the European Union and the Council of Europe. |
| Public Opinion | Some Austrians and Germans view each other as the same nation living in two states, while others disagree and emphasize their distinct identities. Many Austrians are skeptical of reunification due to historical events such as the "Anschluss" in 1938. |
| Legal Implications | The 1955 Austrian State Treaty banned the reunification of Germany and Austria. However, some argue that the treaty is no longer in effect since Germany made its last war reparations payment in 2010. |
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What You'll Learn
Austria and Germany's shared history
Austria and Germany have a long shared history, with German being the official language in both countries and Germans being the majority ethnic group in both. Austrians and Germans were both part of the Holy Roman Empire, which came to an end during the Napoleonic Wars in the 1790s and 1800s. During this time, Austria and Prussia allied against the French Empire but were ultimately defeated. In 1804, Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor, proclaimed the Austrian Empire as the remaining German states had become clients of Napoleon's French Empire. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation, which lacked a monarch or central government with a unifying force. This led to diplomatic tension between Prussia and Austria, who had ambitions to unify Germany under their different proposals.
In the late Iron Age, Austria was occupied by people of the Hallstatt Celtic culture (c. 800 BC), and they first organized as a Celtic kingdom referred to by the Romans as Noricum, dating from c. 800 to 400 BC. At the end of the 1st century BC, the lands south of the Danube became part of the Roman Empire. In the Migration Period of the 6th century, the Germanic Bavarians occupied these lands until they fell to the Frankish Empire in the 9th century. The name Ostarrîchi (Austria) has been in use since 996 AD when it was a margravate of the Duchy of Bavaria. In 1156, Austria became a sovereign state, and from 1156 to 1806, Austria (not including its non-German lands) and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself.
In 1914, the German Chancellor proposed the creation of a Central European Economic Union, which would include Germany and Austria-Hungary, and would be under German leadership to stabilize Germany's economic predominance in Central Europe. However, after losing World War I, the Habsburgs of Austria-Hungary were overthrown, and Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany abdicated in 1918. Both countries became republics and were heavily punished in the Treaty of Versailles (1919) and the Treaty of St. Germain-en-Laye (1919). Austria lost over 60% of its pre-war territory and was reduced to a rump state.
In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. This annexation was supported by a large majority of Austrians. However, after World War II, Austria claimed independence and separated from Germany in 1945, and the German identity in Austria was weakened. The 1955 Austrian State Treaty, which allowed Austria to gain power from the Allied occupation, also banned the reunification of Germany and Austria. Since then, Austria and Germany have continued to cooperate closely in economic and cultural fields, and both countries are now members of the European Union.
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The Austrian State Treaty of 1955
In the aftermath of World War II, Austria was placed under the joint occupation of the Western Allies (the United Kingdom and the United States) and the Soviet Union. This occupation began on April 27, 1945, when Austria claimed independence from Germany as a result of the Vienna Offensive. While Germany was divided into East and West in 1949, Austria's status remained unresolved until the Austrian State Treaty of 1955.
The negotiations leading up to the Treaty were influenced by the Cold War dynamics. With the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 and the ensuing Khrushchev Thaw, the climate for negotiations improved. Successful negotiations with the Soviet foreign minister, Molotov, paved the way for Austria's independence. As part of the Treaty, Austria committed to perpetual neutrality, which was later declared by the Austrian parliament after the last Allied troops left on October 25, 1955.
The Austrian State Treaty was a triumph of diplomacy and a testament to the tenacity of the Austrian people. It symbolized the country's independence and self-determination, setting the stage for Austria's active participation in European affairs. The Treaty addressed general regulations, recognition of the Austrian state, and the minority rights of the Slovene and Croat minorities. It also prohibited the reunification of Germany and Austria, reflecting the complex dynamics of the time.
The Treaty holds a special place in Austria's history and identity, representing the country's emergence as a democratic and independent nation. It is celebrated as a national holiday on October 26, known as the Day of the Flag until 1965. The Austrian State Treaty also served as a foundation for Austria's future contributions to Europe, including its role in promoting stability in the Balkans and its active participation in UN peacekeeping missions.
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Austria's relationship with East Germany
Austria and Germany share a close relationship due to their intertwined histories, with German being the official language of both countries and Germans being the majority ethnic group in both. Austrians are descended from the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians), who established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included the March of Pannonia that became Austria in c. 970. From 843 to 962, Bavarian Austria was part of East Francia (the Kingdom of Germany). From 1156 to 1806, Austria (excluding its non-German lands) and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself.
In 1804, Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor, proclaimed the Austrian Empire as the remaining German states had become clients of Napoleon's French Empire. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation, in which Prussia and Austria reunited. However, the German Confederation lacked a strong central authority, leading to diplomatic tensions between Prussia and Austria, both of which had ambitions to create a unified Germany under their respective proposals. In 1866, Austria was separated from Germany, and the German Confederation was dissolved. The following year, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was established, which was rivalled by the German Empire led by Prussia.
In 1914, German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg proposed a Central European Economic Union, which was to be a veiled form of German domination in Europe. After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires fell, and Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany. However, this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919).
In 1933, Austrian-born Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany and demanded the right to Anschluss (union) with Austria. This was initially blocked by Benito Mussolini, who feared retrospective territorial demands from Hitler. However, in 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria, and Austrian identity was weakened. After World War II, Austria claimed independence from Germany in 1945 and gained sovereignty from Allied occupation in 1955, further solidifying their separation. The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 also banned the reunification of Germany and Austria.
In the context of the Cold War, Austria's relationship with East Germany took on a unique dimension. From the mid-1960s onwards, the troubled Austrian-Hungarian relationship during the Cold War gradually improved, leading to the opening of the Austrian-Hungarian border in September 1989. This had implications for Austria's relationship with East Germany, as the common border at the "Iron Curtain" was a significant obstacle to détente. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany in 1990 further impacted Austrian-East German relations. During this dynamic period, financial relations between the Austrian and East German communists and high-level visits, such as East German Prime Minister Lothar de Maizière's trip to Austria in July 1990, marked the final months of their bilateral relationship.
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Austria's relationship with West Germany
Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history, with German being the official language of both countries and Germans being the majority ethnic group in both. Austrians' ancestors included the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians), who established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included the March of Pannonia that became Austria around 970. From 843 to 962, Bavarian Austria was under East Francia (the Kingdom of Germany), separating from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156. From 1156 to 1806, Austria and other German states were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was mostly led by Austria itself.
In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. This act of territorial expansion was the first of many committed by the Nazi regime and was popular in both Germany and Austria. However, after World War II, Austria claimed independence from Germany in 1945, and the German identity in Austria was weakened. The 1955 Austrian State Treaty, which allowed Austria to regain power from the Allied occupation, banned the reunification of Germany and Austria.
In 1949, military occupation of Germany ended, and the country was divided into West Germany and East Germany. From the 1970s onwards, Austria developed a good relationship with East Germany, which caused suspicion in West Germany. For example, in 1975, Austria and East Germany signed a Consular Treaty that explicitly recognised East German citizenship, to the displeasure of West Germany. In 1978, Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky became the first Western head of government to visit East Berlin. However, when the Berlin Wall fell, many Austrian politicians wanted to maintain their country's good relationship with East Germany.
In 1990, West Germany and East Germany were reunited, and in 1995, Austria entered the European Union, of which Germany was already a member. Both countries are now part of the EU and have the same currency and free borders. However, while Germany is a member of NATO, Austria is not. Despite their close ties, some Austrians and Germans view themselves as having distinct identities, and many Austrians would not be keen on the idea of uniting with Germany.
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German reunification
The reunification of Germany was a significant event that put a formal end to World War II and guaranteed the western borders of Poland. It also inspired a drive for greater European integration and marked the election of Helmut Kohl as the first democratically chosen chancellor of a united Germany since 1932. The process was rushed, largely due to the mass exodus of young people and skilled workers from East Germany, who were leaving at a rate of about 2,000 per day after the opening of the Berlin Wall.
The reunification process involved negotiations between the two Germanies and the four occupying powers (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union). These negotiations produced the Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, which granted full sovereignty to a reunified Germany on March 15, 1991. The last Russian occupation troops, however, did not leave Germany until August 31, 1994.
The idea of a \"greater Germany\" that includes Austria has been historically proposed, including during the Nazi regime when Austria was annexed into Germany. However, after World War II, Austria claimed independence from Germany and worked to distance itself from the German identity. While Austria and Germany have close relations due to their shared history, language, and ethnic majority, there are cultural and nationalistic differences that make some Austrians resistant to the idea of reunification with Germany. Additionally, the Austrian State Treaty of 1955 banned the reunification of Germany and Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria and Germany have a close relationship due to their shared history, with German being the official language in both countries and Germans being the majority ethnic group in both.
Yes, in 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss.
In 1955, the Austrian State Treaty banned the reunification of Germany and Austria. However, in the 1970s and 1980s, Austrian politicians developed good relationships with East Germany, and Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky even became the first Western head of government to visit East Berlin.
Austrians have been described as having a negative view of Germans, who they believe do not respect them and do not consider Austria to be a separate country. One source suggests that Austrians would not be excited about the idea of uniting with Germany.
Some Germans do not consider Austria to be a separate country, instead referring to it as "little Germany".
