1948-50. 2001. The Encyclopedia of World History

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VII. The Contemporary Period, 1945–2000 > B. Europe, 1945–2000 > 6. Western Europe, 1945–2000 > i. Austria > 1948–50

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The Encyclopedia of World History. 2001.


1948–50

Repeated attempts to reach a peace settlement for Austria failed because of Soviet and Yugoslav demands against Austria. To facilitate negotiations, the Western Allies renounced their own claims for German assets in Austria and made far-reaching concessions to Soviet claims for such assets, but the deadlock continued through 1949 and 1950.	1

1949, Oct. 9

General elections brought losses to both the People's Party and the Socialists, as many former Nazis rallied behind the new Union of Independents. Communist strength remained negligible. The coalition government of People's Party and Socialists remained substantially unchanged, despite their basic disagreement on economic questions.	2

1950, Dec. 31

Death of President Karl Renner.	3

1951, May 27

Theodore Koerner, Socialist mayor of Vienna, was elected president.	4

1952, June 14

After seven years, the Soviet government agreed to reopen to Austrian shipping that part of the Danube running through the Soviet zone.	5

1953, Feb. 6

A deputy foreign ministers' conference on an Austrian peace treaty was quickly deadlocked.	6

Feb. 22

In general elections the extreme Right and Left suffered serious losses, while the militant anti-Communist Socialist Party made substantial gains.	7

April 2

Julius Raab, formerly president of the chamber of commerce, formed a People's Party–Socialist Party coalition government.	8

June 8

The Soviet Union lifted its control measures along the border between the Soviet and Western zones.	9

July 30

The Soviet government announced it would pay its own costs of occupation in Austria after Aug. 5, as the United States had been doing since July 1947.	10

Aug. 17

The three Western powers withdrew their proposal for a “short” Austrian treaty and proposed a London meeting, Aug. 31, to prepare a full peace treaty for Austria, but the USSR rejected the invitation (Aug. 29).	11


The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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