Engelbert Dollfuss

Definition

Engelbert Dollfuss was an Austrian politician who served as Chancellor of Austria from 1932 until his assassination in 1934. His leadership was marked by efforts to establish an authoritarian regime and counter the rising influence of Nazi Germany, which aimed for the unification of Austria with Germany, known as the Anschluss.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dollfuss came to power during a time of political instability in Austria, where various factions including socialists and nationalists were vying for control.
2. His government enacted the 1934 Austrian Constitution, which aimed to create a one-party state under the control of the Fatherland Front, a conservative political movement.
3. Dollfuss attempted to implement policies that would distance Austria from Nazi influence, promoting a strong national identity separate from Germany.
4. In July 1934, Dollfuss was assassinated during a failed Nazi coup attempt, which highlighted the tensions between Austrian nationalists and Nazis.
5. His death allowed for a power shift that eventually led to the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938.

Review Questions

• How did Engelbert Dollfuss attempt to establish an authoritarian regime in Austria during his time as Chancellor?
  • Dollfuss sought to consolidate power by creating a one-party state through the Fatherland Front, promoting conservative Catholic values while suppressing opposing ideologies like socialism and Nazism. His government implemented the 1934 Austrian Constitution, which restricted political freedoms and centralized authority. Dollfuss’s administration focused on nationalism and distancing Austria from Nazi Germany, reflecting his desire for independence amid growing pressures for Anschluss.
• Evaluate the impact of Engelbert Dollfuss’s assassination on Austria's political landscape in the context of German expansionism.
  • Dollfuss's assassination in 1934 marked a significant turning point for Austria, leading to increased instability and a power vacuum that facilitated the rise of pro-Nazi sentiments within the country. After his death, there was less resistance to German influence, setting the stage for the eventual annexation of Austria in 1938. This event underscored how internal political struggles and external pressures shaped Austria's alignment with Nazi Germany during this turbulent period.
• Analyze how Engelbert Dollfuss’s policies reflected the broader tensions in Europe between fascism and other political ideologies during the early 20th century.
  • Dollfuss’s policies exemplified the struggle against rising fascist ideologies in Europe during the early 20th century. His establishment of Austrofascism was a direct response to both socialist movements and the threat posed by Nazism, as he sought to create a conservative authoritarian regime that promoted national unity. The tensions between these ideologies created an environment of conflict, culminating in civil unrest and ultimately leading to Dollfuss’s assassination. This reflects a broader European struggle where countries grappled with competing ideological forces that would shape their futures in an increasingly polarized world.

Related terms

Anschluss:

The political union of Austria with Nazi Germany, which was achieved in 1938, significantly altering the political landscape of Central Europe.

Austrofascism: A term describing the authoritarian political system established by Dollfuss and his followers, which sought to promote conservative Catholic values and suppress socialist and Nazi ideologies.

Nazism: The ideology and practices associated with the National Socialist German Workers' Party, characterized by fascism, nationalism, and anti-Semitism, which posed a direct threat to Dollfuss’s regime.