A Historical Overview: Persecution of Jewish Women and Men in Austria (1938–1945)

This exhibition provides an overview of the development and escalation of the persecution of Jewish people in Austria between 1938 and 1945. It details the immediate aftermath of the 'Anschluss', the ensuing violence, arbitrary arrests, theft, professional disqualification, and social ostracism that triggered a massive wave of flight.

Between March 1938 and 1945, Austria witnessed a brutal escalation of persecution against its Jewish population, estimated at around 201,000 individuals under Nazi definitions. Following the 'Anschluss' with Nazi Germany, the country experienced immediate pogrom-like violence, arbitrary arrests, and systematic looting of property and professions. This state of lawlessness, which rapidly intensified compared to Germany, prompted a significant exodus of Jewish residents. Over the years 1938-39, the Jewish population was forcibly concentrated in Vienna, and the onset of war in September 1939 further restricted escape routes. The systematic deportation of the majority of Vienna's remaining Jewish residents occurred in 1941-42. Ultimately, over 66,000 Austrian Jews became victims of the Shoah, with the persecution extending even to those who had sought refuge in other countries.