The Republic of Austria: a State Without a Nation
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The Republic of Austria: A State Without a Nation Master’s Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Global Studies Program Chandler Rosenberger, Advisor In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Master’s Degree By Jill Morrissey May 2012 Copyright by Jill Morrissey © 2012 Acknowledgements The accomplishment of this work is not mine alone, nor would it be possible without the support and guidance of many. I want to thank the many helpful librarians and staff at Brandeis University who answered my countless questions, especially Judy Pinnolis for always lending a helpful hand when it was needed. To Professor Chandler Rosenberger, who offered his insights and expertise throughout my many drafts and tough questions. I want to thank my fellow Global Studies Master students for a year of stimulating discussions and conversations. Your thoughts and views inspired new perceptions and ideas for me while writing this work. My wonderful parents and siblings have always believed in me and been my biggest supporters, I am lucky to have their continual encouragement. And finally, for Marc, without whose support and patience this year would not have been possible. Any errors or inaccuracies that remain in this work are solely my own responsibility. iii ABSTRACT The Republic of Austria: A State Without a Nation A thesis presented to the Global Studies Program Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts By Jill Morrissey The Republic of Austria was created after the collapse of the Habsburg Empire in 1918. Although the state of Austria has a long and intricate history, an Austrian nation did not develop for many reasons. The very history of the Empire prevented a sense of nation to develop through increasing provincial identity, strong, long-lasting pan- German identity, and strong national identities in other ethnic groups in the Habsburg Empire. The First Austrian Republic was founded based on the ‘leftovers’ of the Empire and without a common national identity of its inhabitants--indeed, pan-German identity was dominant leading to the 1938 Anschluss. After World War II, pan-Germanism was no longer acceptable, and the State ‘muddled through’ the next few decades without having a national identity. Joining the European Union allowed the Austrian State to become a part of something larger, and gain a unifying identity as ‘European.’ The rise of far right political parties, especially the FPÖ, in response to increased immigration and the European issues shows the beginnings of an Austrian national sentiment. National identity did not have a role in the formation of the state nor did it become a possibility until long after the state formation. iv Table of Contents Chapter 1- Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 2- Definition of Terms ..................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 3- History of Austrian Nationalism Development ........................................................................... 9 Early Austrian History - 1848 .................................................................................................................... 9 1848- Post-World War II ......................................................................................................................... 13 Conclusion of Austrian National Development....................................................................................... 17 Chapter 4- Austrian Minorities Introduction .............................................................................................. 19 Slovene Introduction............................................................................................................................... 20 History of the Development of Slovene Identity ................................................................................ 22 Slovene Political Parties ...................................................................................................................... 26 Carinthia Slovenes................................................................................................................................... 27 Geography of Carinthia ....................................................................................................................... 27 Early History ........................................................................................................................................ 28 18th Century- 1914 .............................................................................................................................. 30 The Aftermath of World War One ...................................................................................................... 33 Deciding and Undertaking the October 10, 1920 Plebiscite ............................................................... 36 Interwar Period ................................................................................................................................... 37 Post-World War II ............................................................................................................................... 40 Slovene Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 43 Burgenland .............................................................................................................................................. 44 South Tyrol .............................................................................................................................................. 45 Chapter Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 48 Chapter 5- Period of ‘Muddling Through’ ................................................................................................... 51 Structure of the Austrian Federal Government ...................................................................................... 51 Austrian’s People’s Party, ÖVP, and the Social Democratic Party of Austria, SPÖ ............................. 53 Reder and Waldheim Affairs ................................................................................................................... 53 Joining the EU ......................................................................................................................................... 55 2000 Measures against Austria ........................................................................................................... 60 Provincial Identity ................................................................................................................................... 62 Chapter 6- Rise of the Far Right .................................................................................................................. 65 Development of the FPÖ, Freedom Party of Austria .............................................................................. 66 Jörg Haider .......................................................................................................................................... 70 Austria as an immigrant nation, early precedent and later change ....................................................... 71 The resurgence of the FPÖ under the leadership of Jörg Haider ........................................................... 73 Rise of the Far Right—What does this mean for Austria and Europe? ................................................... 80 Chapter 7- Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 82 Appendix 1- Slovene Political Parties .......................................................................................................... 86 Appendix 2- Deciding on and Undertaking the October 10, 1920 Plebiscite ............................................. 92 Appendix 3- Propaganda from the October 10, 1920 Plebiscite ................................................................ 95 Appendix 4- I am From Austria by Rainhard Fendrich ................................................................................ 99 Works Cited ............................................................................................................................................... 100 Works Referenced..................................................................................................................................... 105 iv List of Tables Populations in Burgenland, Carinthia, and South Tyrol .............................................................................. 48 Populations in Burgenland, Carinthia, and South Tyrol as Percentages ..................................................... 48 Results of the June 12, 1994 Austrian Referendum on EU Membership ................................................... 58 List of Illustrations Zig-Zag Semantic Pattern of Change ............................................................................................................. 5 Types of Nationalism .................................................................................................................................... 6 Geographic Map of Carinthia .....................................................................................................................