Austrians

Austrians (German: Österreicher) are the citizens and nationals of Austria. The English term Austrians was used to describe the people of Habsburg Austria from the 17th or 18th century. Later, it referred to the citizens of the Empire of Austria (1804–1867), and then to the citizens of Cisleithania from 1867 until 1918. In its narrowest sense, the term Austria originally described the historical March of Austria, which roughly matched the Vienna Basin in what is today Lower Austria.

Historically, Austrians were seen as Germans and often thought of themselves that way. Their lands (including Bohemia) were part of the Holy Roman Empire and the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War in 1866. When Germany became a nation-state in 1871, Austria was not included. In 1867, Austria changed into the Austro-Hungarian Empire. After World War I ended in 1918, Austria became a smaller state called the Republic of German-Austria, but it could not join Germany because of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919). The First Austrian Republic began in 1919. In 1938, Nazi Germany took control of Austria through the Anschluss.

After World War II, ideas about joining Germany became linked with Nazism, so Austrians began to see themselves as their own unique group. Today, most Austrians do not consider themselves to be German, and they have their own strong sense of national identity.

Name

Further information: Name of Austria

The word Austrian comes from the name Austria. This name comes from Österreich in German, which means "eastern borderland." It started being used in the year 996. Over time, the word Austrian began to be used in English around the 1600s to describe people from the area ruled by the House of Habsburg. By the 1700s, it simply meant anyone who lived in Austria.

History

Main article: History of Austria

The land that is now Austria was home to many different groups over time. In ancient times, it was split into areas known as Raetia, Noricum, and Pannonia. Noricum was a Celtic kingdom, while the Pannonii were Illyrian. The Raetians were an alpine people, possibly related to the Etruscans.

During the Migration period around the 6th century, the area was settled by Bavarians and other Germanic groups, along with Slavic groups, Huns, and Avars. By the 8th century, the region fell under Carolingian rule and was divided into duchies such as Swabia, Bavaria, and Carantania. Vienna, founded in Celtic times as Vindobona, grew in importance during the High Middle Ages as the main city of the March of Austria.

After the Battle of Lechfeld in 955, the March of Austria became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Over time, various territories united under the Archduchy of Austria, first by the House of Babenberg and later by the House of Habsburg. The term "Austrian" began to refer to subjects of the House of Austria, regardless of their ethnic background.

The Habsburg rulers increased their power by acquiring the crowns of Hungary and Bohemia in 1526. The lands they ruled were sometimes called "Austria," though they remained a collection of semi-independent states within the Holy Roman Empire. Centralized rule grew under Maria Theresa and Joseph II in the 18th century.

After the French Revolution and Napoleon’s rise, Emperor Franz II created the Austrian Empire in 1804. Following Prussia’s victory over Austria in 1866, Austria joined Hungary to form the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a dual monarchy. The Austrian part of this empire included many different ethnic groups.

In the 19th century, debates about German unity often included Austria. Some wanted a "Greater Germany" including Austria, while others supported a "Lesser Germany" led by Prussia without Austria. After Austria’s defeat in the Austro-Prussian War, it was excluded from German unity.

After World War I, the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed. In 1918, German-speaking parts of Austria declared themselves "German Austria" and sought to join Germany. However, the Treaty of Saint-Germain in 1919 forbade this union, and the new Republic of Austria was established with its current borders. Many German-speaking Austrians found themselves outside the new state.

During World War II, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938. After the war, Austria was occupied by Allied forces but declared its independence in 1945, establishing the Second Republic. The country developed a distinct Austrian national identity separate from Germany, based on its history, culture, and neutrality.

Language

Further information: German language and High German languages

People from Austria mainly speak German. The official language in Austria is called Austrian German. This special form of German is used on websites, in official messages, and in most media.

Besides Austrian German, many people in Austria speak local dialects. These dialects are part of two groups: Austro-Bavarian and Allemannic. Different areas of Austria have their own versions of these dialects. Most Austrians can also speak standard Austrian German and learn English in school.

Some areas in Austria also recognize minority languages such as Slovene, Croatian, and Hungarian.

Naturalization

Main articles: Austrian nationality law and Immigration to Austria

Austria, like many places in Central Europe, has seen many people move there since the 1970s. The biggest group of people from other countries living in Austria comes from Turkey. In 2010, about 350,000 people with Turkish roots lived in Austria, making up 3% of the population.

Since 1995, more people have been allowed to become official citizens of Austria. This means they can stay citizens of their home country too, like in Turkey. However, rules became stricter after 2007, so fewer people became Austrian citizens each year. In the 2000s, around 27,127 foreign nationals became Austrian citizens each year, while about 67,688 children were born as Austrian citizens each year.

Today, the largest group of people living in Austria who are not Austrian citizens comes from Germany. As of January 2018, 186,891 Germans lived in Austria.

Culture

Main article: Austrian culture

Vienna, Austria's capital, has been a key place for music for a long time. Many famous composers lived there, like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert, and Johann Strauss, Jr.. Austrian writers and poets have also been very important, with names like Arthur Schnitzler and Stefan Zweig being well known.

Austrian food comes from many places, including nearby countries like Germany, Hungary, and Italy. Famous dishes include goulash, and Austria is especially known for its sweet treats. Most Austrians have historically been Catholic, which has shaped the country's culture and history. However, today fewer people follow this religion, and there are also people who follow other beliefs or none at all.