First Austrian Republic Facts for Kids

The Republic of Austria was a period in Austrian history that started after World War I. It began with the signing of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in September 1919. This treaty officially ended the war for Austria and changed the country's shape. This period lasted until 1934, when Austria became a different kind of state. Some people say it ended later, in 1938, when Nazi Germany took control of Austria in an event called the Anschluss.

During this time, Austria was officially called the Federal State of Austria, even though it acted like a republic. It was a time of many disagreements between different political groups.

What Was the First Austrian Republic?
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What Was the First Austrian Republic?

The First Austrian Republic was a new start for Austria after the end of the large Austro-Hungarian Empire. This empire broke apart after World War I. The new Republic of Austria was much smaller than the old empire. It faced many challenges, like rebuilding the country and deciding how it should be governed.

A New Beginning After World War I

After World War I, the old empire was gone. A new country, the Republic of German-Austria, was formed. However, the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye in 1919 changed its borders and name. This treaty officially created the Republic of Austria we are talking about. It also set the rules for the new country.

Political Ups and Downs

The First Austrian Republic was a time of much political tension. Different groups, often called the "left" and the "right," had very different ideas about how Austria should be run. This led to many arguments and sometimes even violence.

Key Leaders of the Republic

During this period, Austria had a President as its head of state and a Chancellor as the head of government.

The first President was Karl Seitz, from 1919 to 1920.
Later presidents included Michael Hainisch (1920–1928) and Wilhelm Miklas (1928–1934).
The first Chancellor was Karl Renner (1919–1920).
One of the last chancellors was Engelbert Dollfuss (1932–1934).

Important Events and Conflicts

One example of the political tension was the July Revolt of 1927. This was a large protest in Vienna that turned violent. It showed how divided the country was. Later, in 1934, the Austrian Civil War happened. This was a short but serious conflict between different armed political groups. It led to the end of the First Republic as a democratic state.

The End of the First Republic

After the Austrian Civil War, the government changed. A new constitution was put in place in May 1934. This marked the start of the Austro-fascist dictatorship. This new government was not a democracy. It was led by a strong leader and had strict rules. This is often seen as the end of the First Austrian Republic. Later, in 1938, Austria was taken over by Nazi Germany. This event is known as the Anschluss.