Abstract

To defend its borders and maintain order at the end of World War I, Austria had to rely on a volunteer force made up of factory workers and ex-soldiers of the former monarchy. In subsequent years a professional, all-volunteer army was organized and charged with border defense, assistance to civil authorities in preserving order, and fighting natural disasters. This army, unlike any other in history, contained at one time or another five associations or unions formed to protect and enhance the economic and civil rights of the soldiers and officers in a national environment fraught with economic, political, and social problems. This unionization, however, raised serious doubts as to the army's effectiveness in the performance of its duties. ;The presence of several military unions provoked an inter-union competition. A left wing Social Democratic sponsored and supported union initially represented most of the soldiers. But the right wing Christian Socialist Minister for Military Affairs, Carl Vaugoin successfully changed the allegiance into support for a military union he was instrumental in founding, the Wehrbund. By 1934 only the Wehrbund remained, but its singular existence was short-lived as it was incorporated that same year into Engelbert Dollfuss's Fatherland Front. ;Yet, in spite of military unions, the Austrian Army consistently accomplished its constitutionally mandated missions. In doing so, the military engaged in battle in the province of Burgenland and in the streets; preserved order and put down coup attempts when called upon; and fought fire, flood, and snow throughout the country. The military establishment demonstrated conclusively that even when unionized it was an effective armed force