Why did USSR allow for Austrian reunification but not German?

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Both Germany and Austria were divided into four occupation zones following World War II, and Vienna was divided like Berlin. So why was there an East Germany and a Berlin Wall for so long but there was never an East Austria and a Vienna Wall?

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Anonymous 0 Comments

The Soviet Union (USSR) allowed for Austrian reunification but not German reunification for a variety of reasons. One of the main reasons is that the USSR had stronger political and economic ties with Austria than with Germany. The Soviet Union had a long history of trade and cooperation with Austria, and many Soviet officials believed that a reunified Austria would be more favorable to Soviet interests than a reunified Germany.

Additionally, the political climate in Austria and Germany was different at the time. In Austria, there was a strong desire among many people for reunification, and the Soviet Union saw this as an opportunity to strengthen its ties with the country. In contrast, the situation in Germany was more complex. There was significant opposition to reunification among many Germans, especially in the eastern part of the country, and the Soviet Union was wary of the potential consequences of reuniting the country.

Finally, the Soviet Union was concerned about the potential impact of a reunified Germany on European politics and security. The Soviet Union was a major player in European politics at the time, and many Soviet officials believed that a reunified Germany would be a threat to Soviet interests and could destabilize the region. This concern likely played a role in the Soviet Union’s decision to allow for Austrian reunification but not German reunification.

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