German Austria (Deutscher Bund)

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  • German-Austria (1919-1930)
  • State of Austria (1930-1940)

  • Deutsch-Österreich (German)
  • Staat Österreich
1919–1940
Flag of German Austria (Deutscher Bund)
Flag
Reichsadler (Coat of Arms) of German Austria (Deutscher Bund)
Reichsadler (Coat of Arms)
Anthem: 
Territory of German Austria, including the illegally seized Lower Silesia and Upper Silesia. The rest of the territory of the South German Federation is labeled in lighter green.
Territory of German Austria, including the illegally seized Lower Silesia and Upper Silesia. The rest of the territory of the South German Federation is labeled in lighter green.
Status
Capital
and largest city
Vienna
Official languagesGerman
Common languagesGerman, Italian, Czech, Slovene
Demonym(s)Austrian
Government
• 
  • Chancellor of Austria (1919-1930)
  • President of Austria (1930-1940)
History 
• Established
10 September 1919
• Annexation
2 February 1940
Currency

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.