Rise of Facism - Surviving Dolfuss TL

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.
 
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Chapter II

Archduke Otto helped Austria improve relations with countries of old Empire. While Hungary was already ally of Italy and Austria, Chancellor Dollfuss wanted closer relations with Czechoslovakia because Bohemia was industrial heart of Austro-Hungarian Empire. Two countries signed trade pact and started cooperating on producing tanks. Hungarian leader Miklos Horthy wanted to use this situation to redraw borders. He demanded region of Carpathian Ruthenia. Under pressure of Italy and Austria, Czechoslovakia folded. Alliance, colloquially called "Rome Pact" became reality.

In 12th May 1935 died Polish statesman and authoritarian leader of Polish state from 1926, Józef Piłsudski. Condolences were sent from leaders of countries across the globe but among them were Italian and Austrian governments. Archduke Otto and count Ciano attended at the funeral personally. Marshall's designed leader was general Edward Rydz-Śmigły. His nationalist, fascist-leaning camp dominated polish political scene. In 10th November 1936 general Rydz-Śmigły was appointed Marshall which made him de facto leader of Poland.

Italians and Austrians were looking towards Poland as ally against Germany. Poles agreed however they demanded region of Zaolzie which was held by Czechoslovakia. Czechs folded again under fascist pressure. Reclamation of the region was seen in Poland as victory of new rulling camp.
 
Chapter III

After Great War, Kingdom of Spain became unstable. During the war Spain was neutral, which lead to unification of working, industrial class and military in order to remove corrupt government, however that was unsuccessful. Popular threat of communism arose which lead to military coup in 1923. In Spain lead by military junta there was little support to monarchy. King Alfonso XIII estabilished the republic in 1931 and called elections. Following socialist and liberal victory, king fled the country.

In 1936 popular front merely won the elections. Weak minority government led by Manuel Azana ignored warnings of military conspiracy. Nationalist agreed to rise up 17th July in Morroco and day later at Spain. Morroco was secured quickly. Later German and Italian volunteers arrived to help Nationalists. Republicans were supported by democratic governments however they announced they neutrality in the confilict. Fascist-leaning government in Poland although at first was selling weapons to both sides of the conflict, decided to sent observers and volunteer forces to help Franco. Expieriencies and new tactics seen by Poles forced government to focus on armor research.

The conflict ended in 1939 after almost 3 years of fighting. Nationalists lead by Francisco Franco emerged victorious and estabilished fascist dictatorship in the country.
 
Chapter IV

Areas near Rhine, bordering with France and Belgium were heart of German industry. After Great War this region was demilitarized and German army was reduced so Germany would have trouble attacking France. However Adolf Hitler decided to remilitarize it. He informed minister of War, Werner von Blomberg and Werner von Frtisch, commander-in-chief of Wehrmacht, about his plans. They replied that they cant bring army to Rhineland in about 3 days but they can't hold against potential French offensive.

In 7th March 1936, just after dawn, nineteen infratry batallions entered demilitarized zone. At 11am these were already at Rhine. When recon squads found out that French soldiers are gathering at the border von Blomberg asked Hitler to withdraw from his plans. Howerver Fuhrer ordered to retreat only in case of French crossing the border. However this didn't happen so Germans decided to quickly build fortifications along French border.

At the end France and Great Britain only sent diplomatic objections saying that it was breaking Versailes treaty. Mussolini seeing that West isn't going to do anything about Germany slowly rebuilding it's power decided to strengthen it's alliances in East. Czechoslovakia and Poland started to slowly mobilize because it was obvious that in few years Germany will start another war.


 
I agree. So maybe three or four way war. Germany vs. Fascist alliance vs. west vs. Russia.

Or stronger Poland means quickly defeated Germany and Fascism stays in Europe.
 
Why would Austrians press Czechs for benefit of Hungarians if they just signed treaty of cooperation with Czechoslovakia?

Also Czechs looked very unfavorably at Habsburg as head of Austria or Hungary OTL. You would need to change Czechoslovak internal politicsl situation too. Maybe Radola Gajda putsch was for real and it suceed? So we would have fascist Czechoslovakia?
 
So does National Socialist Germany ever get allies or are they caught between the anvil of liberal democracies to the west and north and the hammer of fascist nations to the east and south?

It's interesting because in this world fascism would be known as an Italo-Austrian thing and the Nazis would be thought of some weird German only variant.

Also, Sanjuro would lead Nationalist Spain not Franco.
 
Chapter V

In Czechoslovakia, politics of current government faced opposition of large group of citizens, including the fascists. Giving up large areas, while often not Czech or Slovak speaking, damaged national unity and picture of rulers. In this situation far-right groups were gaining more and more popularity. Main camp was National Fascist Community lead by general Radola Gajda who called himself Vituz, similiary to Italian Duce. It was party inspired by Italian and Austrian fascists. It also advocated policy of Pan-Slavism and idea of slavic alliance with Poland, against USSR. With growth of their popularity and support from Italy and Austria, fascists succesfully overthrown weak government.

Germany after Remilitarizing Rhineland turned it's eyes on Austria. Adolf Hitler wanted to unite all Germans in new Reich. Austrian leadership categorically objected against unification with Nazi Germany. Hitler offered to solve conflict peacefully by a referendum. Dolfuss refused. However angered Austrian Nazis decided to pull a coup d'etat. Germans sent Wehrmacht to support putsch. Parts of Tirol, and border regions felt under German control. Austria officialy recognised that as a declaration of war. Italians and Hungarians declared war on Germany. France and Great Britain declared neutrality in the conflict as did other democratic states. Fascist states supported Austria and Italy by selling weapons, while not joining the conflict.
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I want to answer KACKO's question about why Austria pressured Czechs. Carpatian Ruthenia wasn't considered Czech because it had Rusin/Ukrainian majority. This map shows "Czech lands" and claims, and i was basing on it. Also Zaolzie was harder to accept but Poland took the lands which had Polish majority. As you can see i used your idea with Radola Gajda so thank you for that.
 
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I am well aware Ruthenia was not Czech or Slovak. Actually after Prague found out OTL how backward region is they were considering to drop it. Strategic considerations won - land bridge with friendly Romania. Exactly that's why they would be very relictant to cede the territory. Even Gajda. He was antisoviet. Romania and Poland had antisoviet defense treaty. He would probably love to join it.

Theoretically thoigh some concessions on some territories with Hungarian majority could be made. Not sure how big though.
Strategic railway to Romania would be affected.
 
Chapter VI

Before Hungarian and Italian relief forces arrived, German offensive in Austria was gaining momentum. Armed forces used "Blitzkrieg" tactic developed by Heinz Guderian. He assumed that massive, encircling Panzer offensive followed by destroying attack by infantry and artillery. First big offensive of German Panzers, on city of Linz turned out to be a success. Rapid offensive stopped when Austrian allies arrived. Germans tried to capture Vienna, but tanks which were encircling Vienna encountered improvised Armored and Anti-Tank divisions. Czech and Polish equipment proved to be superior than German.

In the same time Poland and Czechoslovakia were considering helping Austrians to gain territories from Germany. Before Battle of Vienna, when Germans were looking to be winners, Austrians asked Poles and Czechs for help. These two countries joined conflict. German forces, garrisoned in these ares weren't enough to stand against Polish and Czech armies. In this situation Germany sent forces from Austrian front, however that still wasn't enough. Areas of Silesia, Pomerania, East Prussia and parts of Saxony felt under Polish or Czech control. Joint offensive on Berlin was launched.

When Polish and Czech forces were reaching outskirts of Berlin and Austrian counteroffensive reached Bavaria, german generals and popular Great War fighter ace Herman Goering overthrown Nazi government. New leadership accepted peace under following terms:
  1. Germany would renounce any territorial claims to it's lost lands and Austria, and won't make any in the future.
  2. Rhineland will be demilitarized and administered by League of Nations.
  3. Germany will cede Upper Silesia to Poland and Kladsko to Czechoslovakia.
  4. Free City of Danzig will become autonomous part of Poland.
  5. Germany will pay war reparations to Austria.
 
Chapter II

Archduke Otto helped Austria improve relations with countries of old Empire. While Hungary was already ally of Italy and Austria, Chancellor Dollfuss wanted closer relations with Czechoslovakia because Bohemia was industrial heart of Austro-Hungarian Empire. Two countries signed trade pact and started cooperating on producing tanks. Hungarian leader Miklos Horthy wanted to use this situation to redraw borders. He demanded region of Carpathian Ruthenia. Under pressure of Italy and Austria, Czechoslovakia folded. Alliance, colloquially called "Rome Pact" became reality.

In 12th May 1935 died Polish statesman and authoritarian leader of Polish state from 1926, Józef Piłsudski. Condolences were sent from leaders of countries across the globe but among them were Italian and Austrian governments. Archduke Otto and count Ciano attended at the funeral personally. Marshall's designed leader was general Edward Rydz-Śmigły. His nationalist, fascist-leaning camp dominated polish political scene. In 10th November 1936 general Rydz-Śmigły was appointed Marshall which made him de facto leader of Poland.

Italians and Austrians were looking towards Poland as ally against Germany. Poles agreed however they demanded region of Zaolzie which was held by Czechoslovakia. Czechs folded again under fascist pressure. Reclamation of the region was seen in Poland as victory of new rulling camp.
Could you explain why Czechs folded in the early 30's under Polish and Hungarian pressure? Czechoslovakia was OTL part of the little entente (whose goal was to stop Habsburg revanchism) and allied with France. Not to mention that the Czechs had defeated both Hungary and Poland earlier and if anything were stronger in the mean time? Maybe I am missing something but even if Austria pressured Czech, I think that the French-litthe entente would make Czechoslovakia reject the demands. Zaolzie and Ruthenia were both strategically important. And even if Czechoslovakia turns fascist, wouldn't they then if anything wait for weaknesses of the other fascist countries and retake their former land, then help them? Or am I missing something, in which case I apologize for it.
 
Chapter VII

Mukden_1931_japan_shenyang.jpg

Japanese entering Mukden, 1931


In 1907 in order to protect South Manchuria Railway Zone, Kwatung Army was created. It was however, independent from Japanese command, because civilian authorities losing grip of Imperial Army. Japan observed political chaos in China, because bordering region of Manchuria was rich in resources, which were needed to industrialize the country.

At 18th of September 1831, near Mukden explosions and firefight were heard. Japanese unit patroling railway accused Chinese for attack, in reality however, Kwatung Army was behind entire incident. About one hour later, Japanese attack Chinese garrison. Shocked Chinese retreated. Then Mukden was captured without any resistance. Advancing Kwatung Army didn't face any resistance. Imperial General Staff intervened when, they wanted to attack Harbin. Staff didn't allow capturing this city fearing USSR reaction. However Soviets agreed not to intervene if they interests in East Chinese Railway aren't violated. Chinese resistance consolidated on Nen River line. Harbin city was later sieged and without Soviet approval, ECR was used. Manchuria was eventually occupied.

In 1932 Japan, of occupied region created puppet state called Manchuko with deposed Qing Emperor Puyi as President. City of Changchun was renamed Hsinking (literally "New Capital") and became capital. Two years later Puyi was declared Emperor of Manchuria and Imperial Palace was built for him. In reality, Emperor was only figurehead and all power rested in hands of Japanese military officials.

Japanese in order to legitimize their conquests in Manchuria created Pan-Asian nationalist organisation called The Greater Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere. It consisted of:
  • Empire of Japan
  • Empire of Manchuria
  • newly created Empire of Korea, with Yi Kang as Emperor
In next years Japanese ambitions were headed towards China. At the end of June 1937 Japanese forces gathered at Marco Polo bridge. Kuomitang forces, stationing at Waiping fortress received telegram with demand of rights to enter fortress in order to search for lost soldier. When Chinese refused Japanese assaulted fortress. When KMT reinforcements arrived, Japanese were forced to retreat and start negotiations. Initially Japan conviced China that they are ready to solve conflict in diplomatic way. Kuomitang sent Zhang to meet with general Hashimoto. When Zhang was returning from meeting, Japanese stormed Benjing.
 
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