Austrian State Treaty
Upper Belvedere palace, Vienna, Austria
What happened
Austria and the four occupying powers of the Second World War: the United States, the United Kingdom, France and the Soviet Union. After the Second World War, Austria was occupied by four Allied powers for ten years. In 1955 they signed a treaty at the Belvedere palace in Vienna that ended the occupation and restored a free, sovereign and democratic Austria. It forbade union with Germany and protected the rights of Slovene and Croat minorities.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It peacefully ended a decade of occupation during the Cold War. The Soviet Union agreed partly because Austria promised to stay neutral.
What came next
The last Allied troops left on 25 October 1955. The next day Austria's parliament declared the country permanently neutral, and 26 October is now Austria's national holiday.
Did you know?
Foreign Minister Leopold Figl showed the signed treaty to the crowds from the palace balcony.
Timeline
- 1723The Upper Belvedere is completed for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
- 15 May 1955The Austrian State Treaty is signed.
- 27 July 1955The treaty takes effect.
- 25 October 1955The last Allied troops leave Austria.
- 26 October 1955Austria declares permanent neutrality.