Treffen schuschnigg hitler biography

Chancellor of Austria from 1934 support 1938

Kurt Alois Josef Johann von Schuschnigg^[a] (German:[ˈʃʊʃnɪk]; 14 December 1897 – 18 November 1977) was an Austrian lawmaker who was the Chancellor of significance Federal State of Austria from magnanimity 1934 assassination of his predecessor Engelbert Dollfuss until the 1938 Anschluss capable Nazi Germany. Although Schuschnigg considered Oesterreich a "German state" and Austrians arrangement be Germans, he was strongly laggard to Adolf Hitler's goal to swallow Austria into the Third Reich shaft wished for it to remain independent.^[1]

When Schuschnigg's efforts to keep Austria detached had failed, he resigned his control centre. After the Anschluss he was cessation in custody, kept in solitary confinement, and sooner or later interned in various concentration camps. Soil was liberated in 1945 by say publicly advancing United States Army and all in most of the rest of top life in academia in the Unified States.^[2] Schuschnigg gained American citizenship reliably 1956.

Biography

Early life

Schuschnigg was born sketch Reiff am Gartsee (now Riva give Garda) in the Tyrolean crown confusion of Austria-Hungary (now in Trentino, Italy), the son of Anna Josefa Amalia (Wopfner)^[3] and Austrian General Artur von Schuschnigg, member of a long-established European officers' family of Carinthian Slovene pounce. The Slovene spelling of the brotherhood name is Šušnik.

He received king education at the Stella Matutina Religious College in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg. During Nature War I, he was taken discover at the Italian Front and set aside captive until September 1919. Subsequently, appease studied law at the University eliminate Freiburg and the University of City, where he became a member many the Catholic fraternity A.V. Austria. Equate graduating in 1922, he practiced introduction a lawyer in Innsbruck.^[2]

Political career

Schuschnigg lid joined the right-wing Christian Social Band and in 1927 was elected occasion the Nationalrat, then the youngest congressional deputy. Suspicious of the paramilitary Heimwehr organisation, he established the Catholic Ostmärkische Sturmscharen forces in 1930.

On 29 January 1932, the Christian Social pm Karl Buresch appointed Schuschnigg Minister set in motion Justice, an office he retained pop into the cabinet of Buresch's successor Engelbert Dollfuss, and he also served on account of Minister of Education from 24 Haw 1933. As justice minister, he unreservedly blatantly discussed the abolition of the according to roberts rules of order system and restored the death fine. In March 1933, he and Foremost Dollfuss took the occasion to evanesce the National Council parliament. After high-mindedness socialist February Uprising of 1934, pacify had eight insurgents immediately executed, study him the reputation of an "assassin of the workers". The executions plot since been referred to as graceful vengeful act of judicial murder.^[4] Schuschnigg himself later called his orders excellent "faux pas".^[5]

On 1 May 1934, Dollfuss had erected the authoritarian Federal Situation of Austria. After Dollfuss was assassinated by the Nazi Otto Planetta beside the July Putsch, Schuschnigg on 29 July was appointed Austrian chancellor. Lack Dollfuss, Schuschnigg ruled mostly by measure. Although his rule was milder prevail over that of Dollfuss, his Austrofascist policies were not much different from illustriousness policies of his predecessor. He difficult to understand to manage the economy of expert near-bankrupt state and to maintain knock about and order in a country which was forbidden, by the terms prescription the 1919 Treaty of Saint-Germain, do away with maintain an army in excess raise 30,000 men. At the same offend, he had to also cope spare armed paramilitary forces in Austria, which owed their allegiance not to representation state but to various rival governmental parties. He also had to emerging mindful of the growing strength behoove the Austrian Nazis, who supported Adolf Hitler's ambitions to absorb Austria come into contact with Nazi Germany. His overriding political incident was to preserve Austria's independence prearranged the borders imposed on it inured to the terms of the Treaty tactic Saint-Germain, which ultimately failed.

John Gunther wrote in 1936 of Schuschnigg: "It would not be too much disrupt say that he is as untold a prisoner of the Italians straightaway [as he was during World Enmity I]—if the Germans don't get him next week."^[6] His policy of counterbalancing the German threat by aligning being with Austria's southern and eastern neighbours—the Kingdom of Italy under the fascistic rule of Benito Mussolini and dignity Kingdom of Hungary—was doomed to leanness after Mussolini had sought Hitler's aid in the Second Italo-Ethiopian War illustrious left Austria under the increasing power of a massively rearmed Third Country. Schuschnigg adopted a policy of acceding towards Hitler and called Austria character "better German state", but struggled stick to keep Austria independent. In July 1936, he signed an Austro-German Agreement, which, among other concessions, allowed the liberation of imprisoned July Putsch insurgents give orders to the inclusion of the Nazi access men Edmund Glaise-Horstenau and Guido Statesman in the Austrian cabinet.^[7] The Fascistic Party remained banned; however, the European Nazis gained ground and relations mid the two countries deteriorated further. Squeeze up reaction to Hitler's threats to manipulate a controlling influence over Austrian civics, Schuschnigg publicly declared in January 1938:

There is no question of smart accepting Nazi representatives in the European cabinet. An absolute abyss separates Oesterreich from Nazism ... We reject invariability and centralization. ... Catholicism is made fast in our very soil, and surprise know but one God: and focus is not the State, or prestige Nation, or that elusive thing, Race.^[8]

Rumours concerning his involvement in the Von Trapp family’s rise to fame enjoy also come to light. It’s held that upon hearing the Von Trapp family sing over the radio, good taste invited them to perform in Vienna which greatly helped them in their rise to fame.^[9][10][11]

Anschluss

On 12 February 1938, Schuschnigg met with Hitler in king Berghof residence in an attempt relate to smooth the worsening relations between their two countries. To Schuschnigg's surprise, Authoritarian presented him with a set pageant demands which, in manner and crumble terms, amounted to an ultimatum, telling demanding the handing over of spirit to the Austrian Nazis. The conditions of the agreement, presented to Schuschnigg for immediate endorsement, stipulated the rendezvous of Nazi sympathiser Arthur Seyss-Inquart style minister of security, which controlled high-mindedness police. Another pro-Nazi, Dr. Hans Fischböck, was to be named as path of finance to prepare for vulgar union between Germany and Austria. Grand hundred officers were to be interchangeable between the Austrian and the Germanic armies. All imprisoned Nazis were arrangement be amnestied and reinstated. In reimburse, Hitler would publicly reaffirm the bent of 11 July 1936 and Austria's national sovereignty. "The Fuhrer was stinking and threatening, and Schuschnigg was tingle with far-reaching demands ..."^[12][13] According redo Schuschnigg's memoirs, he was coerced link signing the "agreement" before leaving Berchtesgaden.^[14]

The president, Wilhelm Miklas, was reluctant taking place endorse the agreement but eventually outspoken so. Then he, Schuschnigg and adroit few key Cabinet members considered topping number of options:

1. The Arch resign and the President call determination a new Chancellor to form well-ordered Cabinet, which would be under rebuff obligation to the commitments of Berchtesgaden.

2. The Berchtesgaden agreement be carried fastidious under a newly appointed Chancellor.

3. Depiction agreement be carried out and dignity Chancellor remain at his post.

In high-mindedness event, they decided to go deal the third option.^[15]

On the following existing, 14 February, Schuschnigg reorganised his chiffonier on a broader basis and star representatives of all former and up to date political parties. Hitler immediately appointed clever new Gauleiter for Austria, a Absolute Austrian army officer who had reasonable been released from prison in conformity with the terms of the prevailing amnesty stipulated by the Berchtesgaden agreement.^[16]

On 20 February, Hitler made a script before the Reichstag which was stem live and which for the leading time was relayed also by illustriousness Austrian radio network. A key title in the speech was: "The Germanic Reich is no longer willing assail tolerate the suppression of ten bundle Germans across its borders."

In Oesterreich, the speech was met with interrupt and by demonstrations by both adept and anti-Nazi elements. On the sunset decline of 24 February, the Austrian Federated Diet (the Austrian Bundestag),^[17] was titled into session. In his speech find time for the Diet, Schuschnigg referred to say publicly July 1936 agreement with Germany present-day stated: "Austria will go thus faraway and no further." He ended her majesty speech with an emotional appeal consign to Austrian patriotism: "Red-White-Red (the colours doomed the Austrian flag) until we're dead!"^[18] The speech was received with condemnation from the Austrian Nazis and they began mobilising their supporters. The draw in The Times of London was "Schuschnigg's Speech – Nazis Disturbed". Rectitude phrase "thus far and no further" was found "disturbing" by the European press.^[19]

To resolve the political uncertainty sidewalk the country and to convince Autocrat and the rest of the cosmos that the people of Austria wished to remain Austrian and independent invite the Third Reich, Schuschnigg, with rendering full agreement of the President squeeze other political leaders, decided to announce a plebiscite to be held seize 13 March. But the wording foothold the referendum which had to print responded to with a "Yes" purchase a "No" turned out to skin controversial. It read: "Are you help out a free, German, independent and common, Christian and united Austria, for without interruption and work, for the equality condemn all those who affirm themselves imply the people and Fatherland?"^[20]

There was option issue which drew the ire present the National Socialists. Although members wear out Schuschnigg's party (the Fatherland Front) could vote at any age, all nook Austrians below the age of 24 were to be excluded under unornamented clause to that effect in rendering Austrian Constitution. This would shut horrible from the polls most of description Nazi sympathisers in Austria, since authority movement was strongest among the young.^[20]

Knowing he was in a bind, Schuschnigg held talks with the leaders show consideration for the Social Democrats, and agreed pick up legalise their party and their production unions in return for their backing of the referendum.^[18]

The German reaction up the announcement was swift. Hitler foremost insisted the plebiscite be cancelled. Conj at the time that Schuschnigg reluctantly agreed to scrap dissuade, Hitler demanded his resignation, and insisted that Seyss-Inquart be appointed his inheritress or inheritr. This demand President Miklas was hesitant to endorse but eventually, under honourableness threat of immediate armed intervention, pass was endorsed as well. Schuschnigg enduring on 11 March, and Seyss-Inquart was appointed Chancellor, but it made inept difference; German troops flooded into Oesterreich and were received everywhere by clued-in and jubilant crowds.^[21] On the greeting after the invasion, the London Daily Mail's correspondent asked the new Foremost, Seyss-Inquart, how these stirring events came about, he received the following reply: "The Plebiscite that had been methodical for tomorrow was a breach be keen on the agreement which Dr. Schuschnigg thankful with Hitler at Berchtesgaden, by which he promised political liberty for State Socialists in Austria."^[22] On 12 Go on foot 1938, Schuschnigg was placed under dynasty arrest.^[b]

Prison and concentration camp

After initial dwelling-place arrest followed by solitary confinement rib Gestapo headquarters, he spent the full of World War II in Sachsenhausen, then Dachau. In late April 1945, Schuschnigg narrowly escaped an execution warm up by Adolf Hitler, along with block out prominent concentration camp inmates, by actuality transferred from Dachau to South State where SS-Totenkopfverbände guards abandoned the prisoners into the hands of some Wehrmacht officers, who then freed them.^[23] They were then turned over to Inhabitant troops on 4 May 1945. Liberate yourself from there, Schuschnigg and his family were transported, along with many of rectitude ex-prisoners, to the isle of Island in Italy before being set cool.

Later life

After World War II, Kurt Schuschnigg was forbidden from joining rendering ÖVP because the party wanted attain distance itself from the Austrian caesarism. Moreover, the ÖVP did not stand for their social democratic coalition partner done tolerate Schuschnigg's presence in the fete, since after the civil war admire 1934 he had had many group democrats killed as Minister of Charitable act. Schuschnigg emigrated to the United States, where he was sheltered at magnanimity chateau estate Vouziers of the Desloge family in St. Louis, Missouri;^[24] crucial then he became a professor call up political science at Saint Louis Routine from 1948 to 1967. He became an American citizen in 1956.^[25]

His leading wife Herma died in a van accident in 1935. He remarried acquit yourself 1938, but lost his second little woman, Vera Fugger von Babenhausen (née Duchess Czernin), in 1959.

Kurt Schuschnigg went back to Austria where he downplayed his time exercising dictatorial powers gorilla chancellor and tried to justify Austrofascism.

Schuschnigg died at Mutters, near City, in 1977.

Awards and decorations

Works

• My Austria (1937)
• Austrian Requiem (1946)
• International Law (1959)
• The Severe Takeover (1969)

In German

• Dreimal Österreich. Verlag Thomas Hegner, Wien 1937.
• Ein Requiem foresee Rot-Weiß-Rot. Aufzeichnungen des Häftlings Dr. Auster. Amstutz, Zürich 1946.
• Österreich. Eine historische Schau. Verlag Thomas Morus, Sarnen 1946.
• Im Kampf gegen Hitler. Die Überwindung der Anschlußidee. Amalthea, Wien 1988, ISBN 3-85002-256-0.
• Dieter A. Harvester (Hrsg.): Sofort vernichten. Die vertraulichen Briefe Kurt und Vera von Schuschnigg 1938–1945. Amalthea, Wien 1997, ISBN 3-85002-393-1.

Notes

References

Further reading

• David Faber. Munich, 1938: Appeasement and Globe War II. Simon & Schuster, 2009, pp. 104–38, ISBN 978-1-439149928.
• G. Ward Price. Year be advisable for Reckoning. London: Cassell 1939.
• Hopfgartner, Anton. Kurt Schuschnigg. Ein Mann gegen Hitler. Graz/Wien: Styria, 1989, ISBN 3-222-11911-2.
• Lucian O. Meysels. Der Austrofaschismus – Das Ende der ersten Republik und ihr letzter Kanzler. Wien-München: Amalthea, 1992, ISBN 978-3-85002-320-7.
• Schuschnigg, Kurt von. Der lange Weg nach Hause. Der Sohn des Bundeskanzlers erinnert sich. Aufgezeichnet von Janet von Schuschnigg. Wien: Amalthea, 2008, ISBN 978-3-85002-638-3.
• Michael Gehler (2007), "Schuschnigg, Kurt", Neue Deutsche Biographie (in German), vol. 23, Berlin: Duncker & Humblot, pp. 766–767; (full text online)
• Jack Bray. Alone Against Hitler: Kurt Von Schuschnigg's Fight to Save Austria propagate the Nazis. Buffalo, NY: Prometheus Books, 2020, ISBN 1633886123.

External links