The Austrian Dictator Before Hitler
Engelbert Dollfuss and the evolution of Austria during his dictatorship
Engelbert Dollfuss, a right-wing Catholic who defeated all his rivals, fought hard to defend the independence of the small Austrian republic. This patriot of humble origins did not give in to Hitler and could have changed the course of history if he had not been assassinated at the beginning of the Nazi era. Assassinated in July 1934, Dolfuss is one of the least known dictators in twentieth-century Europe, although it is a very interesting case.
Running Chancellor without a Parliament
Engelbert Dollfuss became Chancellor of Austria in May 1932, at the age of almost 40, after serving as Minister of Agriculture for only a year. Interested in social reforms rather than democracy, in October 1932 Dollfuss re-enacted the law of war that gave him the right to rule by decree. In March 1933, disagreements arose in Parliament over irregularities in voting procedures.
The three presidents of the Austrian parliament resigned in order to exercise their right to vote as mere members of parliament, but without…
