Red Vienna in the Underground: Socialist Action in Fascist Austria, 1934-1938

In February 1934, Austrian Socialists attempted a revolution against Engelbert Dollfuss’ newly instated fascist government. This revolution’s failure led to the dissolution of the Austrian Social Democratic Party and... [ view full abstract ]

In February 1934, Austrian Socialists attempted a revolution against Engelbert Dollfuss’ newly instated fascist government. This revolution’s failure led to the dissolution of the Austrian Social Democratic Party and allowed Dollfuss to consolidate his power. Although socialists suffered a defeat in 1934, socialist action continued in the underground and in exile until Austria’s Anschluss with Germany in 1938. My thesis takes a stance against the current periodization of Austrian Socialism that has ignored and isolated this action. Through an analysis of socialist action in the underground and in exile, I strive to bring a new understanding to the period of Austrian Socialism from 1934 to 1938. The lively socialist action that occurred in these four years connects it to the so-called period of “Red Vienna, ” which most historians have chronicled from 1919 to 1934. Although socialist action had to change to fit its new underground role, Austria continued to show its red tendencies until 1938.