German Austria (Deutscher Bund)
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1919–1940 | |
Reichsadler (Coat of Arms)
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Anthem:
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Status |
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Capital and largest city | Vienna |
Official languages | German |
Common languages | German, Italian, Czech, Slovene |
Demonym(s) | Austrian |
Government |
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History | |
• Established | 10 September 1919 |
• Annexation | 2 February 1940 |
Currency |
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German Austria, (from 1930 the State of Austria) was the name given to the predominantly German-speaking territories of the former Austrian Empire which formed following its partition. It formed out of the core of the German-speaking region of Cisleithania, and inherited much of its industry and railroads though suffered from a lack of arable land to support its metropolis and capital of Vienna.
The Republic- which it is often unofficially referred to, suffered from instability and economic depression since its creation in 1919. The incorporation of the industry-rich region of Silesia assisted with economic development however lack of economic security and the Great Depression resulted in an economic collapse which later saw it leave the short-lived South German Federation and a coup by the Austrofascist Engelbert Dollfuss, who established a corporatist and Austrian nationalist dictatorship in Austria until its annexation by the German Reich in 1940.
It was a founding member of the South German Federation, and in theory, its leading member- however its lack of control over its own government resulted in Bavaria taking over its position de-facto. It was economically integrated with the rest of the South German Federation, including sharing a common currency and allowing freedom of movement and business with the rest of the federation, until it seceded in 1930.