Austria’s National Day: Freedom and Neutrality
On October 26, Austrian flags appear on buildings, and public events mark Austria’s National Day. The date is connected to a turning point in 1955, when Austria regained full control over its affairs after years of occupation. But October 26 does not mark a single battle or the signing of a peace treaty. It marks a decision Austria made about its future.
From war to occupation
In 1938, Nazi Germany took over Austria in an event known as the Anschluss, or annexation. Many Austrians welcomed the takeover, while others opposed it or became victims of Nazi persecution. Austria became part of Nazi Germany during World War II. Jewish Austrians and other targeted groups suffered under Nazi rule, and many were murdered. Austrians also participated in Nazi crimes.
When Germany was defeated in 1945, Austria was separated from Germany. Yet Austrians did not immediately gain full control of their country. The four victorious Allied powers—the United States, the Soviet Union, Britain, and France—occupied Austria. Each controlled a zone, and the capital, Vienna, was also divided among the four powers.
- occupation:
- Control of a place by foreign armed forces.
- persecution:
- Cruel or unfair treatment of people because of who they are or what they believe.
- authority:
- The power or right to make decisions and enforce them.
- negotiations:
- Discussions aimed at reaching an agreement.
- treaty:
- A formal agreement between countries.
- constitutional:
- Related to the basic laws and principles of a country’s government.
- alliances:
- Agreements between countries to support or cooperate with one another.
- observances:
- Events or activities held to mark an important occasion.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why does Austria’s National Day honor October 26 rather than the date the State Treaty was signed?
- 2How did the Cold War make negotiations over Austria’s future difficult?
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About this explanatory article passage for Middle School
“Austria’s National Day: Freedom and Neutrality” is a explanatory article reading passage about Austria’s National Day, written for Middle School. It takes about 5 minutes to read (764 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.