Arts and Humanities Commons^™

From Habsburg To Hitler To Haider: The Peculiarities Of Austrian History, Harry Ritter

History Faculty and Staff Publications

In broad overview, the defining feature of Austrian history since 1866 has been dramatic and - since 1918 - sometimes wrenching change.* A greater contrast between the country's serene, touristic image and the real historical experiences of its people can scarcely be imagined. Other regions - Poland, the former Yugoslavia, the former Soviet Union - endured, to be sure, greater human extremes and far greater total misery in our century. Sadly, the plight of these nations often occurred at the hands of Austrian-bred officials and soldiers, from Hitler, Eichmann, Globocnik, and Kaltenbrunner on down.' Yet if other countries suffered more, …