February Uprising (Austria)

Not to be confused with the February Revolution in Russia in 1917

The February Uprising or Austrian Civil War or Austrian Workers' Revolt refers to a conflict that occurred in Austria between anti-fascists and fascists in 1934, at least 250 people were killed in the conflict and the fascists were victorious.

Events

Paramilitary fascists searched a socialist hotel on the 12th of February, leading to a gunfight. This led to gunfights across cities and towns in Austria between the forces, with the anti-fascists concentrated in urban working class neighbourhoods built around public housing, and the fascists concentrated in rural areas, the police and the army. Once the army began using artillery and tanks to destroy apartments in working class neighbourhoods on the 15th of February, leading to the uprising ending the next day.

International Impact

The February Uprising provided inspiration for the Asturian Uprising and the Spanish Revolution, the slogan 'better Vienna than Berlin' became popular among Spanish anti-fascists. The conflict also created a sharp political divide after the end of Austrian fascism following World War II, with this being a sensitive period of history.