Austria

Timeline. Through history.

If we don’t understand the past, how can we understand our present and future? To truly absorb, appreciate, and reflect on the country we are visiting, we need to look at pivotal moments in history. Begin your journey through the ages now.

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Jewish timeline
General timeline

976-1246 The Babenbergs are the first ruling dynasty of Austria
1278-1918 The Habsburgs become the second ruling dynasty of Austria
1294 A synagogue is mentioned for the first time on this square
Since the end of the 12th century Jews are settling in the area that is nowadays called “Judenplatz”/Jewish square
Around 1400 800 Jews live in the city (about 5 % of the population)
1421 “Viennese Gesera”: end of the 1st Jewish community of Vienna (the poor are expelled, 200 rich are burned alive)
1529 First siege of Vienna by the Ottoman empire (first Turkish siege), they leave due to food shortage and the coming of winter
1624 The 2nd Jewish community is formed in the nowadays 2nd district
1670 the 2nd Jewish community is expelled
1683 Second siege of Vienna by the Ottoman Empire (second Turkish siege), the city is saved by a united army at the last minute
1718 A Sephardic community is established in Vienna (they are citizens of the Sultan)
A treaty between Austria and the Ottoman Empire makes this possible
1852 The Viennese Jewish community is formed
1867 Jews and non-Jews have the same rights, all restrictions fall
1867 Austro-Hungarian dual monarchy is formed
1918 The Austrian Monarchy falls apart at the end of the first WW
1934-38 Austrofascism, authoritarian rule
12 March 1938 Austria joints Germany (“Anschluss”)
1938 Before the war the Jewish community in Vienna consists of about 180.000 people
1938-45 65.000 Jews of the Austrian community are murdered during WW 2
1945 Only about 5.500 Jews survive the war in Vienna
1945-55 Austria is divided into four zones (American, English, French, Russian), in 1955 Austria gets a state treaty, and ever since is considered a neutral country
1991 Chancellor Franz Vranitzky acknowledges Austria´s share of responsibility (until this time, official Austria had portrayed their country as the “First Victim”)
Today The Jewish community consists of about 8.000 official members, with an estimation of 12,000-15,000 Jewish people living in Austria in total

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