1934: Austrian Civil War of February

Austrian social democracy tolerated the gradual elimination of democracy without protest, even the banning of the Republikanische Schutzbund (Republican Protection League) on May 31, 1933. Many leftists turned away in disappointment, going either to the illegal communists or succumbing to the temptations of the Nazis. Following this was the destruction of the remaining structures of social democracy. The Heimwehren (Home Guards) and the executive authorities subsequently searched properties belonging to the Social Democratic Party for weapons of the Schutzbund. When this also happened in Linz, on February 12, 1934, the Schutzbund, under the leadership of Richard Bernaschek, defended itself, thereby launching the Austrian Civil War. The uprising, which lasted from February 12 to 15, included the suburbs and city council housing estates of Vienna, Steyr, Graz and Upper Styria. Working class dwellings were bombarded with artillery, causing hundreds of deaths.

After the brief uprising, which was considered the first revolt of the left against fascism in Europe, the government reacted by imposing martial law. It hanged the leaders of the revolt, including the delegate of the National Assembly, Koloman Wallisch. The civil war left deep wounds and is still firmly anchored in the country’s collective memory to this day.