Central Europe Yearbook

A Consciously Un-Revolutionary Revolution

Salzburg 1918

Cole Ashkenazy

McGill University

Keywords: Austria, Revolution, Salzburg

Abstract

As the Habsburg Monarchy ended in fall 1918, the Salzburg Social Democratic Workers’ Party almost never mentioned the word revolution in association with Austria or Salzburg. Yet in later years it would organize celebratory demonstrations for the anniversary of the revolution. This article examines this change in attitude and addresses the idea of a revolution in Salzburg. In addition to the specific Austrian, regional, and local Salzburg contexts, the article confronts the central power of the word revolution: its ability to both legitimize and delegitimize political and social change. The research is based primarily upon three Salzburg newspapers, which each corresponded to a major political party of the time, as well as the stenographic protocols of the local government.