Austrofascism

Austrofascism was a political system in Austria during the 1930s characterized by authoritarian nationalism, anti-communism, and suppression of political opposition. It emerged after Austria's first democratic republic faced economic and political instability, leading conservative and clerical forces to seek stronger, centralized control. The regime, led by Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss and later Kurt Schuschnigg, abolished democracy, dissolved parliament, and banned rival political parties, promoting a corporatist state that emphasized traditional values, Catholic influence, and nationalism. While it shared some fascist traits, Austrofascism was distinct from Italian or Nazi fascism in its emphasis on Austrian identity and its initial opposition to Nazi Germany.