Chapter I
In Austria, Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss established one-party dictatorship modeled after Mussolini's Italy. He banned all the other parties including communists and social democrats. The latter ones fearing of chancellor's dictatorship started a Civil War in February 1934, after unjustified arrest of Republikanischer Schutzbund. Fights lasted sixteen days, especially in outer Vienna districts where large fortress-like municipal workers' buildings were situated. Resistance was suppressed by military and police. The Social Democrats were outlawed, and their leaders were imprisoned or fled abroad. In April parliament approved his new constitution which ended democratic system of Austrian Republic.
In 25th July of 1934 group of SS men disguised as police stormed chancellory. However Dolfuss and government were alerted about putsch. Instead of chancellor, Nazis encountered military and police. After short fire exchange, plotters died or surrendered. Few of them fled to Germany but the rest was sentenced to death for treason.
After Civil War and failed coup d'etat, Engelbert Dolfuss had to unite his nation. In order to do that he invited Crown Prince Otto von Habsburg. After talks and negotiations new consitution, similiar to italian was written. Archduke became head of state however most of power was in hands of Chancellor Dolfuss. Otto, crowned Archduke was a figurehead that helped unite the nation. Austria became close ally of Italy and enemy of Nazi Germany.
In Austria, Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss established one-party dictatorship modeled after Mussolini's Italy. He banned all the other parties including communists and social democrats. The latter ones fearing of chancellor's dictatorship started a Civil War in February 1934, after unjustified arrest of Republikanischer Schutzbund. Fights lasted sixteen days, especially in outer Vienna districts where large fortress-like municipal workers' buildings were situated. Resistance was suppressed by military and police. The Social Democrats were outlawed, and their leaders were imprisoned or fled abroad. In April parliament approved his new constitution which ended democratic system of Austrian Republic.
In 25th July of 1934 group of SS men disguised as police stormed chancellory. However Dolfuss and government were alerted about putsch. Instead of chancellor, Nazis encountered military and police. After short fire exchange, plotters died or surrendered. Few of them fled to Germany but the rest was sentenced to death for treason.
After Civil War and failed coup d'etat, Engelbert Dolfuss had to unite his nation. In order to do that he invited Crown Prince Otto von Habsburg. After talks and negotiations new consitution, similiar to italian was written. Archduke became head of state however most of power was in hands of Chancellor Dolfuss. Otto, crowned Archduke was a figurehead that helped unite the nation. Austria became close ally of Italy and enemy of Nazi Germany.
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