Routledge Austrian Historical Memory and National Identity Book

Explore the complex evolution of Austrian identity through this scholarly work from Routledge. This book examines how Austria navigated a vacuum of national identity following the disintegration of the Hapsburg monarchy after World War I. It tracks the country's historical shifts, from drifting toward Germany to the post-World War II era where elites built an identity based on being a victim of Nazi Germany. Readers will learn how Cold War Austria positioned itself as a neutral island between superpower blocs. As the nation secured membership in the European Union, it began the process of reconstructing its painful historical memory. This text provides a deep look into how a nation defines itself through its past, especially as it approached its 1000th anniversary in 1996. It is an essential resource for those studying contemporary Austrian studies and European history.