A time of upheaval in an anti-Semitic environment – the representation of the Jewish population in Austria in the parliamentary debates from 1917–1919

Abstract

The period of transition from the dynastically composed, multi-ethnic Habsburg monarchy to the Republic of German-Austria/Austria was marked by fundamental economic crises, social tensions, and traumas as a consequence of the harrowing experiences of the war. This situation led to extensive social and political radicalization, including a massive rise in anti-Semitism. The paper focuses on the reasons for this increase in anti-Semitism and describes the rhetoric of the politicians during the war and in the immediate post-war period. Based on the stenographic protocols of the meetings in the Austrian Imperial Assembly and the (Provisional) National Assembly, the politicians who used anti-Semitic speeches in order to achieve particular goals are identified and examples of how the situation and rights of the Austrian Jewish population was discussed in parliament are given.