The Path to the Republic: The ‘Austrian Revolution’ between the soviet movement and practical politics

The end of the Habsburg Monarchy was speeded up by both internal and external signs of disintegration. A further decisive factor was the strike movements which reached their climax in January 1918 and marked the beginning of the so-called ‘Austrian Revolution’. The Social Democratic Party under its legendary leaders Victor Adler and Otto Bauer played a highly controversial role: it succeeded in suppressing the radical left-wing leanings towards a revolution and at the same time levering itself into a position of power from which it could provide the Chancellor and the Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs and Social Welfare in the Provisional Government after the founding of the Republic. One key aim, especially for Otto Bauer, was, however, not realised: the Allies prevented union with Germany.

Translation: Leigh Bailey