Dollfuss lives

samcster94

Banned
I don't know much about Austrian history, but in 1933, there was an irregular election and a guy named Dollfuss took over and made himself a dictator under a form of quasi-Catholic Fascism that was anti-Nazi. He was killed in a coup attempt in 1934 by Nazis, but his status quo lasted until 1938. Would the Anschluss still happen, given the conditions would be different?
 
I don't know much about Austrian history, but in 1933, there was an irregular election and a guy named Dollfuss took over and made himself a dictator under a form of quasi-Catholic Fascism that was anti-Nazi. He was killed in a coup attempt in 1934 by Nazis, but his status quo lasted until 1938. Would the Anschluss still happen, given the conditions would be different?


I kinda think we'd still have the Anschluss
happen ITTL & probably still in 1938 too.
Dollfuss' presence simply would not have
been enough to change all the other factors
involved; besides Hitler was determined to
incorporate Austria into the Reich no matter
what.
 
Dollfus I hear was heavily leaning torwads restoring the Habsburgs in a hope that they could get the Austrian people to have a figurehead to rally an Austrian identity instead of a German one if this comes to pass as Dollfus hopes how will the world react if Austria fights back.
 
Dollfus I hear was heavily leaning torwads restoring the Habsburgs in a hope that they could get the Austrian people to have a figurehead to rally an Austrian identity instead of a German one if this comes to pass as Dollfus hopes how will the world react if Austria fights back.
Considering how much Habsburg nostalgia was used by Dolfuss and his policies, it wouldn't be surprising. I personally doubt the Habsburg crown prince would accept being a puppet of Dolfuss, but things could change if Austria's in danger.

I kinda think we'd still have the Anschluss
happen ITTL & probably still in 1938 too.
Dollfuss' presence simply would not have
been enough to change all the other factors
involved; besides Hitler was determined to
incorporate Austria into the Reich no matter
what.
With Dolfuss remaining, Austria has a much better chance at fighting back Hitler's attempt. 4 years is plenty of time to solidify the regime and crack down on the Nazis (and him survivng the coup attempt gives him a free hand in suppressing them even further). Too bad that Dollfuss also suppressed the social democrats and communists that could've supported the government against the Nazis.
 
Considering how much Habsburg nostalgia was used by Dolfuss and his policies, it wouldn't be surprising. I personally doubt the Habsburg crown prince would accept being a puppet of Dolfuss, but things could change if Austria's in danger.


With Dolfuss remaining, Austria has a much better chance at fighting back Hitler's attempt. 4 years is plenty of time to solidify the regime and crack down on the Nazis (and him survivng the coup attempt gives him a free hand in suppressing them even further). Too bad that Dollfuss also suppressed the social democrats and communists that could've supported the government against the Nazis.

Ok suppose Dollfus survives and restores the monarchy after a talk with crown prince Otto and 1938 comes around and hitler demands a referendum and Dollfus refuses calling hitler a dictator with the 4 years of time Dollfus has constructed a mini maginot line what happens next
 
It might prevent Nazi fascist alliance. Musso couldn’t stand Hitler initially. His earlier efforts to safeguard Austrian independence.
 
Even if the Austrians go back to monarchy, how much power would this king have?
Figurehead Archduke most likely. I'm sure Dollfuss knows that empowering Otto gives the latter a chance to undermine him when things settle with Germany (assuming they are beaten back).
It might prevent Nazi fascist alliance. Musso couldn’t stand Hitler initially. His earlier efforts to safeguard Austrian independence.
Very likely. A successful Dollfuss will make Austria seem stable to Mussolini and worth protecting. I can totally see a Rome-Vienna-Budapest Axis iTTL becoming a reality to undermine Germany and the Little Entente.

Ok suppose Dollfus survives and restores the monarchy after a talk with crown prince Otto and 1938 comes around and hitler demands a referendum and Dollfus refuses calling hitler a dictator with the 4 years of time Dollfus has constructed a mini maginot line what happens next
IOTL, both Germany and Austria were relatively weak (Austria even moreso) since at this point, Germany doesn't have the resources and gold reserves of Austria and Czechia. The success of an Austrian defense depends on a few points:
1) Italy intervenes in this 'Alpine War' as Hitler launches Fall Otto in response to a Habsburg restoration,
2) Dollfuss has successfully limited Nazi influence in Austria,
3) The Austrian populace has been made less complacent (with pro-Anschluss forces silenced) about a German annexation, either with Dollfuss being more successful in pushing a new national/cultural identity in Austria or simply playing up anti-nazism after the coup attempt. Left-wing and Far-left forces are likely not to sit it out this time either, since Hitler won't have a fait accompli.
4) Big if, but St.-Germain-en-Laye restrictions are lowered somehow? Without thr post-assassination complacency, maybe the West begins thinking that Austria might be serious about fighting off Germany? It would seriously help Austria if they didn't have thosr massive Versailles restrictions.
 
Figurehead Archduke most likely. I'm sure Dollfuss knows that empowering Otto gives the latter a chance to undermine him when things settle with Germany (assuming they are beaten back).

Very likely. A successful Dollfuss will make Austria seem stable to Mussolini and worth protecting. I can totally see a Rome-Vienna-Budapest Axis iTTL becoming a reality to undermine Germany and the Little Entente.


IOTL, both Germany and Austria were relatively weak (Austria even moreso) since at this point, Germany doesn't have the resources and gold reserves of Austria and Czechia. The success of an Austrian defense depends on a few points:
1) Italy intervenes in this 'Alpine War' as Hitler launches Fall Otto in response to a Habsburg restoration,
2) Dollfuss has successfully limited Nazi influence in Austria,
3) The Austrian populace has been made less complacent (with pro-Anschluss forces silenced) about a German annexation, either with Dollfuss being more successful in pushing a new national/cultural identity in Austria or simply playing up anti-nazism after the coup attempt. Left-wing and Far-left forces are likely not to sit it out this time either, since Hitler won't have a fait accompli.
4) Big if, but St.-Germain-en-Laye restrictions are lowered somehow? Without thr post-assassination complacency, maybe the West begins thinking that Austria might be serious about fighting off Germany? It would seriously help Austria if they didn't have thosr massive Versailles restrictions.

How dose this sound Dollfus and Archduke Otto try to create a cult of personality with the Habsburgs at the center with the fatherland party being renamed the imperial party nazi ideology is crushed under the weight of te Habsburg cult. The Habsburg in exchange for an alliance renounce there claims of south triol and renounce there Hungarian claims on the home front the Habsburgs go for the Windsor style of popular monarchy going to the factories and mines to talk to people.

Habsburgs=public face/image

Dollfus/fatherland party/Imperial party=runs country

Basically they create a popular monarchy were the monarchs go out and be the governments face/image
 
So assuming an Alpine War of Fascist Italy and Austrofascist Habsburg Austria vs. Nazi Germany in 1938, who would win?

In the event of Italian and Austrian victory, I would imagine an upper Balkan alliance would eventually be made between Italy, Austria, and Hungary, and, depending on the success of the war, Bavaria is demilitarized, and the Nazi regime is discredited beyond repair.

If Germany wins, Austria would get annexed (and maybe Sudtirol as well) but it would still undermine Hitler's legitimacy both domestically and internationally.
 
At the end of the day, the incentives were always in favor of Mussolini making the deal he made OTL, which was giving up Austria in return for Nazi support for his Mediterranean ambitions. Even if Dollfuss doesn't get killed he needs to find a way to get a backer with a greater incentive in his survival than in selling him out to Hitler.
 
At the end of the day, the incentives were always in favor of Mussolini making the deal he made OTL, which was giving up Austria in return for Nazi support for his Mediterranean ambitions. Even if Dollfuss doesn't get killed he needs to find a way to get a backer with a greater incentive in his survival than in selling him out to Hitler.

Maybe Otto and Dollfus publicly declare Italy the Third Rome while declaring all of the old Crown of St. Stephen rightful territory of Hungary. Meanwhile Otto and Dollfus try to cozy up to the king of Italy
 
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