I am convinced that it is the will of a higher power that we preserve our home country Austria with its glorious history, even though today in a smaller form, I am convinced that this Austria will be exemplary in the shaping of public life for other peoples, that in this Austria we must also have a great and valuable service to fulfill, and to fulfill to the whole of Germandom. This Austria remains our and our children’s homeland… Just as the crusaders were imbued with the same faith, as a Marco d’Aviano preached here before Vienna, “God wills it” – so we also see with great confidence in the future, in the conviction: God wills it 

-Engelbert Dollfuss, Trabrennplatzrede

Born in Texing in Lower Austria on the fourth of October 1892, Engelbert Dollfuss is perhaps the second most controversial Austrian of the Interwar Period.  A devout Catholic and Patriot, he is often accused by the Left of being a Fascist. His government is criticized as being Totalitarian and Nationalistic. But was it really? Continue reading →