Werthmann on How Totalinarianism Came to Austria

Just the sort of wierdo you would expect from eagle forums.

We elected Hitler by 98% of the vote. I've never read that in any American publication. Everyone thinks that Hitler just rolled in with his tanks and took Austria over.

Hitler did just roll in and took Austria over.
Later after getting rid of political opposition and removing whole sections of Austrian societies right to vote they then held a vote which was conducted by the military occupiers not the austrians. Saddam used to get 99% of the vote, it doesn't mean Iraqis elected him anymore than Austrians elected Hitler

I like that the gun ownership myth is thrown in for good measure. It wouldn't be a proper wingnut piece without it

[Skybird]

In Germany, last year there was repeated discussion and one or two TV docus showing newly discovered old film material that proves that the ammount to which Austrians already were "Nazified" and supported Hitler's movement long before he grabed the ultimate power in Germany so far has been underestimated. Of course, Austria is not too happy to learn this, since so far the more popular position was that although Hitler was a native Austrian, neverthless Austria was somewhat a victim of the Third Reich's policies. But that cannot be claimed anymore. Support for the Nazis was very very substantial and solid in the high, middle and low classes and throught the bourgeoise long before the Anschluß and before the years of 1939, 1937, even 1933.

The material showing this includes rare coloured film footage that just has been found in historian archives in the past 2 or 3 years.

The question of to what degree austrians or Germans are guilty of having created Hitler, is a sensitive one between both people, leading to sometimes very emotional, passionate discussions. It has become a very strong push into a new direction thta ebfore officially was almost ignored by officials. That now the official criticism of this new interpreation of history nevertheless is remarkably defensive and cautious shows that even in Austria an awareness is growing that just comfortably leave all the responsibility to the Germans and claiming the status of an victim for oneself no longer is supportable.