History of Arthur Seyss-Inquart

Arthur Seyss-Inquart was an Austrian lawyer and politician who played a significant role in the political landscape of Austria and Nazi Germany during the tumultuous period surrounding World War II. Born on July 22, 1892, in Stannern, a small town in what is now the Czech Republic, Seyss-Inquart's life path led him from law to becoming a controversial political figure, closely tied to the expansionist ambitions of Nazi Germany.

Seyss-Inquart’s early life and career were marked by his pursuit of education and service in World War I. After studying law at the University of Vienna, he established himself as a lawyer in the Austrian capital. His war service earned him distinction, but it also, like for many of his contemporaries, left him disenchanted with the status quo in Europe, making him receptive to radical political ideas.

Through the 1920s, Austria faced significant political instability, exacerbated by economic difficulties and the social upheaval following World War I. It was during this era that Seyss-Inquart's political career began to take shape. Although initially not a member of any political party, his legal expertise and growing interest in politics saw him becoming increasingly involved in public service. In the early 1930s, his career took a decisive turn when he came into contact with the Austrian National Socialist movement.

Seyss-Inquart’s political stance was significantly influenced by the Pan-Germanism ideology, which advocated for the unification of all German-speaking peoples, including Austrians and Germans. This belief aligned him closely with Nazi Germany, which was led by Adolf Hitler, an Austrian by birth, who shared the same vision. Seyss-Inquart's affiliation with the Nazi Party wasn’t official from the outset; instead, he maneuvered himself into a position of influence within Austria by advocating policies that aligned closely with Nazi ideologies, gaining Hitler’s attention and trust.

His big break came in 1938, a year that proved pivotal for both Austria and himself. Austria was under tremendous pressure from Nazi Germany to join the Reich. The Austrian chancellor at the time, Kurt Schuschnigg, was opposed to the Anschluss (the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany) but was under relentless pressure both internally and externally. The Nazis had a fifth column of sympathizers within Austria, and Seyss-Inquart emerged as a leading figure among them.

In February 1938, during a meeting at Berghof, Hitler forced Schuschnigg to appoint Seyss-Inquart as Minister of the Interior and Security, a position that placed him at the heart of Austria’s government. With Austrians deeply divided and international support weak, Schuschnigg resigned in March 1938, paving the way for Seyss-Inquart to briefly become Chancellor of Austria. His tenure was short-lived; on March 12, 1938, German forces marched into Austria in a carefully orchestrated plan, and within days, the country was annexed to Germany. Seyss-Inquart played an instrumental role in the Anschluss, legitimizing the occupation and integrating Austrian institutions with those of Nazi Germany.

Following the Anschluss, Seyss-Inquart was rewarded for his loyalty. He became the Reich Governor (Reichsstatthalter) of the now province of Ostmark (as Austria was called under German administration). His role, however, was largely ceremonial as real power rested with the Nazi Party officials and Heinrich Himmler’s SS, tasked with the assimilation of Austrian society into the Nazi framework.

Seyss-Inquart’s influence extended beyond Austria during World War II. In May 1940, after the German invasion of the Netherlands, he was appointed Reich Commissioner (Reichskommissar) presiding over the occupied Dutch territories. His administration was marked by brutal measures, including the persecution of Jewish communities and the implementation of harsh reprisal policies against the Dutch resistance. It was during this time that Seyss-Inquart earned a reputation as one of the architects of Nazi repression in occupied territories, enforcing policies that led to widespread suffering and death.

As Germany’s defeat became inevitable in 1945, Seyss-Inquart’s position disintegrated alongside the Nazi regime. After the German surrender, he was captured by Allied forces and became one of the principal defendants at the Nuremberg Trials. Charged with crimes against humanity, war crimes, and other offenses, his defense failed to absolve him of responsibility for the atrocities committed under his jurisdiction. In October 1946, Seyss-Inquart was sentenced to death, and he was executed on October 16, 1946.

Seyss-Inquart's legacy is that of a lawyer turned politician who became an enabler of Nazi policies. His career underscores the dangers of radical ideology and opportunism in times of political upheaval. His role in the Anschluss and the administration of Nazi-occupied territories remain reminders of the complicity of individuals within the machinery of oppressive regimes, and the catastrophic consequences that can ensue from such alignments.