Ernst Kirchweger
Encyclopedia
Ernst Kirchweger was the first person to die as a result of political conflict in Austria
's Second Republic.
From 1916 to 1918, Ernst Kirchweger participated in World War I
as a sailor
in the Austro-Hungarian Navy
. Afterwards, he fought on the side of the Red Army
. Until 1934, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria
, but then he joined the Communists
, which was outlawed at that time. During the reigns of Austrofascism
and Nazism
, he risked his life as an activist in illegal trade union
s. After Austria's liberation in 1945, having survived concentration camp, he continued to speak out against Fascism
.
On March 31, 1965, a demonstration of students, former resistance fighters and unions against Taras Borodajkewycz
, a university
professor
accused of having made anti-Semitic
statements, took place in Vienna, while the student organisation of the Freedom Party of Austria
organized a riot
. There were skirmishes between the participants of the two demonstrations, during on of which Kichweger was attacked by Günther Kümel and severely injured. He died three days later as a result of his injuries. Kümel was sentenced to ten months in prison
.
25,000 people attended Kirchweger's funeral, which became an Anti-Fascist manifestation. However, the approach taken by the official Austria towards Nazism did not change for a long time. Only in the early 1990s, Chancellor
Franz Vranitzky
acknowledged Austria's share in the guilt for the Holocaust.
In 1990, the Wielandschule in Vienna-Favoriten
, a building owned by the Communist Party, was seized by left-wing activist and named Ernst-Kirchweger-Haus
. In the mean time, the building has been sold by the Communist Party.
: Kirchweger, Ernst 12.1.1898 - 2.4.1965, Wien
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
's Second Republic.
From 1916 to 1918, Ernst Kirchweger participated in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
as a sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
in the Austro-Hungarian Navy
Austro-Hungarian Navy
The Austro-Hungarian Navy was the naval force of Austria-Hungary. Its official name in German was Kaiserliche und Königliche Kriegsmarine , abbreviated as k.u.k. Kriegsmarine....
. Afterwards, he fought on the side of the Red Army
Red Army
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army started out as the Soviet Union's revolutionary communist combat groups during the Russian Civil War of 1918-1922. It grew into the national army of the Soviet Union. By the 1930s the Red Army was among the largest armies in history.The "Red Army" name refers to...
. Until 1934, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria
Social Democratic Party of Austria
The Social Democratic Party of Austria is one of the oldest political parties in Austria. The SPÖ is one of the two major parties in Austria, and has ties to trade unions and the Austrian Chamber of Labour. The SPÖ is among the few mainstream European social-democratic parties that have preserved...
, but then he joined the Communists
Communist Party of Austria
The Communist Party of Austria is a communist party based in Austria. Established in 1918, it was banned between 1933 and 1945 under both the Austrofascist regime, and German control of Austria during World War II...
, which was outlawed at that time. During the reigns of Austrofascism
Austrofascism
Austrofascism is a term which is frequently used by historians to describe the authoritarian rule installed in Austria with the May Constitution of 1934, which ceased with the forcible incorporation of the newly-founded Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938...
and Nazism
Nazism
Nazism, the common short form name of National Socialism was the ideology and practice of the Nazi Party and of Nazi Germany...
, he risked his life as an activist in illegal trade union
Trade union
A trade union, trades union or labor union is an organization of workers that have banded together to achieve common goals such as better working conditions. The trade union, through its leadership, bargains with the employer on behalf of union members and negotiates labour contracts with...
s. After Austria's liberation in 1945, having survived concentration camp, he continued to speak out against Fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
.
On March 31, 1965, a demonstration of students, former resistance fighters and unions against Taras Borodajkewycz
Taras Borodajkewycz
Taras Borodajkewycz , was a former member of the NSDAP and after World War II professor of economic history at the College of World Trade in Vienna .-Life:During the interwar years, he was an adherent of Catholic-national ideas which...
, a university
University
A university is an institution of higher education and research, which grants academic degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is an organisation that provides both undergraduate education and postgraduate education...
professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
accused of having made anti-Semitic
Anti-Semitism
Antisemitism is suspicion of, hatred toward, or discrimination against Jews for reasons connected to their Jewish heritage. According to a 2005 U.S...
statements, took place in Vienna, while the student organisation of the Freedom Party of Austria
Freedom Party of Austria
The Freedom Party of Austria is a political party in Austria. Ideologically, the party is a direct descendant of the German national liberal camp, which dates back to the 1848 revolutions. The FPÖ itself was founded in 1956 as the successor to the short-lived Federation of Independents , which had...
organized a riot
Riot
A riot is a form of civil disorder characterized often by what is thought of as disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of violence against authority, property or people. While individuals may attempt to lead or control a riot, riots are thought to be typically chaotic and...
. There were skirmishes between the participants of the two demonstrations, during on of which Kichweger was attacked by Günther Kümel and severely injured. He died three days later as a result of his injuries. Kümel was sentenced to ten months in prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
.
25,000 people attended Kirchweger's funeral, which became an Anti-Fascist manifestation. However, the approach taken by the official Austria towards Nazism did not change for a long time. Only in the early 1990s, Chancellor
Chancellor of Austria
The Federal Chancellor is the head of government in Austria. Its deputy is the Vice-Chancellor. Before 1918, the equivalent office was the Minister-President of Austria. The Federal Chancellor is considered to be the most powerful political position in Austrian politics.-Appointment:The...
Franz Vranitzky
Franz Vranitzky
Franz Vranitzky is an Austrian politician. A member of the Social Democratic Party of Austria , he was Chancellor of Austria from 1986 to 1997.-Early life and career:...
acknowledged Austria's share in the guilt for the Holocaust.
In 1990, the Wielandschule in Vienna-Favoriten
Favoriten
Favoriten, the 10th district of Vienna, Austria , is located south of the central districts. It is south of Innere Stadt, Wieden and Margareten...
, a building owned by the Communist Party, was seized by left-wing activist and named Ernst-Kirchweger-Haus
Ernst-Kirchweger-Haus
The Ernst-Kirchweger-Haus is a building in Vienna's 10th district, Favoriten.Since June 23, 1990, it has been a squatted social centre, which hosts migrants and refugees, community activities, and political groups.-Overview:...
. In the mean time, the building has been sold by the Communist Party.
External links
Web encyclopedia of the Viennese Social-democracySocial Democratic Party of Austria
The Social Democratic Party of Austria is one of the oldest political parties in Austria. The SPÖ is one of the two major parties in Austria, and has ties to trade unions and the Austrian Chamber of Labour. The SPÖ is among the few mainstream European social-democratic parties that have preserved...
: Kirchweger, Ernst 12.1.1898 - 2.4.1965, Wien