Carinthian Slovenes During the First Year of the Nacist Rule in Austria

Abstract

In the last days of the first Austrian republic the organized structures of the Slovene minority in Carinthia fully supported the Austrian government ki its struggle for the independence of the country. After the Nazi assumption of power they declared themselves loyal to the new authorities and at lhe plebiscite on April 10th, 1938 they decided to advise the minority to vote for the accomplished annexation. The minority, especially its organized structures, came under pressure immediately after the annexation. In order to quickly germanize the South Carinthia a thick network of kindergarten, where the Slovene language was prohibited, vvas set up, the bihngual school was abolished, cultural activities vvere obstructed. The economic policy served the germanization. The Nazi authorities also put the Slovene clergy under pressure. Criticism because of the policy of open denationalization gradually awoke among the Slovenes.