Austria from Habsburg to Hitler, Volume 1

Austria from Habsburg to Hitler, Volume I: Labor's Workshop of Democracy offers a meticulous exploration of Austria's journey from the fall of the Habsburg Empire to its first republic. Written by Charles A. Gulick, the book investigates the rise of the Austrian working-class movement, its political and social achievements, and the eventual collapse of democracy under the weight of reactionary forces. Drawing from extensive archival research, interviews, and personal accounts, Gulick provides a vivid account of Austria's political and economic challenges in the wake of World War I, including hyperinflation, unemployment, and the fragmentation of the Habsburg Empire's integrated economy. He places special emphasis on the remarkable accomplishments of Austria's Social Democratic party, particularly in Vienna, where progressive reforms revolutionized public health, education, and housing, earning the city its reputation as "Red Vienna."

This richly detailed narrative not only chronicles the successes of Austria’s Social Democrats but also examines their struggles against powerful reactionary forces, including the Church, monarchists, and fascist sympathizers. Gulick carefully documents the political tensions that culminated in the rise of Austro-Fascism, highlighting figures such as Monsignor Ignaz Seipel and Engelbert Dollfuss, who played pivotal roles in the erosion of democratic institutions. The book delves into the ideological conflicts, armed confrontations, and societal fractures that foreshadowed Austria’s eventual annexation by Nazi Germany. By combining social, political, and economic analysis with sharply drawn portraits of key players, Gulick offers a profound and timely study of Austria’s tumultuous path during one of the most transformative periods in European history.

This title is part of UC Press's Voices Revived program, which commemorates University of California Press’s mission to seek out and cultivate the brightest minds and give them voice, reach, and impact. Drawing on a backlist dating to 1893, Voices Revived makes high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship accessible once again using print-on-demand technology. This title was originally published in 1948.