Ethnic groups Austria

bilingual sign of oberwart (in hungarian felsőőr) in burgenland.

historically austrians regarded ethnic germans , viewed such, although national identity challenged austrian nationalism in decades after end of world war , more after world war ii. austria part of holy roman empire of german nation until ending in 1806 , had been part of german confederation, loose association of 39 separate german-speaking countries, until austro-prussian war in 1866, resulted in exclusion of austria german confederation , creation of north german confederation led prussia. in 1871, germany founded nation-state, austria not part of it. after world war , breakup of austrian monarchy, politicians of new republic declared name deutschösterreich (republic of german-austria) , part of german republic. unification of 2 countries forbidden treaty of saint-germain-en-laye 1 of conditions imposed victorious allies of world war upon vanquished nation, prevent creation of territorially extensive german state. along events of world war ii , nazism, austria country has made efforts develop own distinct national identity among populace, , nowadays not consider germans, while minority still feels german, movement historically known grossdeutsch , pointing fact consider historic boundaries of german people going beyond boundaries of actual states. today 91.1% of population regarded ethnic austrians.

serbs form 1 of largest ethnic groups in austria, numbering around 300,000 people. historically, serbian immigrants moved austria during time of austro-hungarian empire, when vojvodina under imperial control. following world war ii number of serbs expanded again, , today community large. austrian serbian society founded in 1936. today, serbs in austria found in vienna, salzburg, , graz.

an estimated 13,000 40,000 slovenes in austrian state of carinthia (the carinthian slovenes) croats (around 30,000) , hungarians in burgenland recognised minority , have had special rights following austrian state treaty (staatsvertrag) of 1955. slovenes in austrian state of styria (estimated @ number between 1,600 , 5,000) not recognised minority , not have special rights, although believe state treaty of 27 july 1955 states otherwise.

the right bilingual topographic signs regions slovene , croat austrians live alongside german-speaking population (as required 1955 state treaty) still implemented in view of some, while others believe treaty-derived obligations have been met (see below). many carinthians afraid of slovenian territorial claims, pointing fact yugoslav troops entered state after each of 2 world wars , considering official slovenian atlases show parts of carinthia slovene cultural territory. deceased governor, jörg haider, has made fact matter of public argument in autumn 2005 refusing increase number of bilingual topographic signs in carinthia. poll kärntner humaninstitut conducted in january 2006 states 65% of carinthians not in favour of increase of bilingual topographic signs, since original requirements set state treaty of 1955 have been fulfilled according point of view.

another interesting phenomenon so-called windischen-theorie stating slovenes can split in 2 groups: actual slovenes , windische (a traditional german name slavs), based on differences in language between austrian slovenes, taught slovene standard language in school , slovenes spoke local slovene dialect went german schools. term windische applied latter group means of distinction. politically influenced theory, dividing slovene austrians loyal windische , national slovenes , never accepted , fell out of use decades ago.