Relationships/Beziehungsgeschichten

Günter Bischof

After the breakup of the Habsburg Monarchy, the Austrian-American relationship was one of a dwarf confronting a giant. America continued to offer a better life for many Austrian emigrants, while for America the small Austrian Republic was insignificant. However, there were times when Austria mattered geopolitically. During the post-World War II occupation of Austria, the US helped reconstruct Austria economically and was the biggest champion of its independence. During the Cold War, the US frequently used Austria as a mediator site for summit meetings. Austria adopted American mass-production models and consumerism, while its youth adopted American popular culture. Americanization and American preponderance also produced anti-American feelings. With Austria's accession to the European Union at the end of the Cold War, it once again lost significance within Washington's geopolitics.