Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1920s
The Social Democratic Party of Austria controls 'Red Vienna', its heart set on Austro-Marxism,
while the provinces are controlled by conservative forces.
1934
Austrian politics is polarised, paralysed by paramilitary groups. In 1934 parliament is gridlocked
and Austria collapses into civil war - hundreds die in three-day fighting culminating in Social
Democrat defeat.
1938
Nazi troops march into Vienna; Hitler visits his beloved Linz, and Vienna to address 200,000 ecstat-
ic Viennese on Heldenplatz. After a rigged referendum, Austria becomes part of Hitler's Reich.
1938-9
In the Pogromnacht of November 1938, Jewish businesses and homes are plundered and destroyed
across Austria. 120,000 Jews leave Vienna over the next six months.
1939-45
War and genocide in Austria. More than 100,000 of Vienna's 180,000 Jews escape, but 65,000 die. In
1945 the Red Army liberates Vienna. Austria and Vienna are divided among the Allied powers.
1948
Graham Greene flies to Vienna for inspiration for a film which becomes The Third Man , starring Or-
son Wells and featuring an iconic scene on the city's Riesenrad (Ferris wheel).
1955
Austrian Staatsvertrag (state treaty) is ratified. Austria declares sovereignty and neutral status, ending
a decade of occupation. Post-WWII international bodies come to Vienna; the UN later sets up offices
here.
1955-66
'Grand coalitions' of major parties govern Austria based on a system of Proporz (proportion), whereby
ministerial posts are divided among the major parties. This becomes a hallmark of Austrian politics.
1972-8
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