1938-1945: Teachers under Nazism

A large proportion of teachers were supporters of Nazism even before 1938 and welcomed the “Anschluss”. Especially in rural areas, teachers—as respected intellectual figures—were therefore important for spreading Nazi ideology. After the takeover of power in Austria, it was not simply a matter of teachers restructuring their lessons to conform with Nazism. They were also expected to indirectly monitor their pupils and their parents, for example to note whether young people were taking part in mandatory meetings of the Hitler Youth, or whether their parents displayed a positive attitude towards the Nazi regime.

Many teachers took on additional roles within the Nazi Party or its associations and organisations. Teachers were also expected to prove their loyalty to the regime through membership in the National Socialist Teachers League (NSLB). Starting in 1939, trainee teachers were monitored and selection and training were restructured along ideological and racist lines.

During the first wave of denazification after the end of the Second World War, many teachers temporarily lost their jobs. This was because regardless of their attitude to Nazism, they demonstrated at least one (compulsory) membership in a Nazi organisation. Due to the staff shortages this created, well connected (“former”) Nazis (predominantly men) very quickly found new teaching opportunities. Following the amnesty for “lesser offenders” in 1948, most teachers were ultimately able to resume working in their chosen profession.