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Von der Befreiung zur Freiheit


A sensitive portrait of one of the most important eras of Austrian history – from Austria’s Allied occupation until the re-establishment of full sovereignty with the State Treaty in 1955. Erich Lessing portrayed politics as well as a new emerging society and the revival of the cultural scene in post-war Austria. Text contributions by well-known personalities like Gerd Bacher, Alexander Giese and Ludwig Steiner.



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230 photos
One of the largest power dams in Europe, under construction in Kaprun, Austria, was scheduled to be completed in 1950. The Limberg-dam is120 m high and 354 m long. The project has been possible largely through the aid of Marshall Plan counterpart funds.
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One of the largest power dams in Europe, under construction in Kaprun, Austria,...

A "War of posters" in Vienna, for the General elections on October 9, 1949. A huge poster warns Austrians "not to buy the cat in the bag" i.e. unseen, but to vote for the conservative People's Party. The poster is affixed to the as yet unrestored facade of the "Burgtheater", the foremost Austrian stage for classical drama.
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A "War of posters" in Vienna, for the General elections on October 9, 1949. A hu...

Robert Stolz, Austrian composer(1880-1975), and actress Inge Konradi during a musical evening in the composer's home.Vienna, 1949
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Robert Stolz, Austrian composer(1880-1975), and actress Inge Konradi dur...

Four years after the end of World War II,Austrian prisoners of war return from POW-camps in the Soviet Union. Vienna,1949
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Four years after the end of World War II,Austrian prisoners of war return...

Four years after the end of World War II,Austrian prisoners of war return from POW-camps in the Soviet Union. Vienna,1947
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Four years after the end of World War II,Austrian prisoners of war return...

Austrian parliametary elections 1949: the three arrows of the Austrian Socialist Party signify democracy, socialism and propsperity. Vienna, 1947
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Austrian parliametary elections 1949: the three arrows of the Austrian Socialis...

Austrian parliametary elections 1949:The Christian- Conservative Peoples'Party warns voters to beware of the "red octopus" crushing Europe with its arms. The small poster below left shows the three arrows of the Austrian Socialist Party.Vienna, 1947
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Austrian parliametary elections 1949:The Christian- Conservative Peoples'Party...

Parade of Austrian gendarmes before President Karl Renner (standing, under canopy) to celebrate the gendarmeries' one hundredth anniversary of their founding. The units march past the still war-damaged Parliament building on the Ringstrasse-Boulevard, Vienna, 1949.
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Parade of Austrian gendarmes before President Karl Renner (standing, under canop...

While an estimated 12.000 Austrian Communists demonstrated in the centre of Vienna, administered by all four occupation powers, other Communists in the Russian zone were squatting on tramway tracks on September 26, 1950. They were protesting against a government decree raising both wages and prices. Demonstrators gathered in front of the Chancellery in downtown Vienna.
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While an estimated 12.000 Austrian Communists demonstrated in the centre of Vien...

While an estimated 12.000 Austrian Communists demonstrated in the centre of Vienna, administered by all four occupation powers, other Communists in the Russian zone filled in tramway tracks with debris in order to halt traffic. They were protesting a government decree raising both wages and prices. 26th september 1950.
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While an estimated 12.000 Austrian Communists demonstrated in the centre of Vien...

Communist demonstrators deflated the wheel of a bus, thus closing off Kaerntnerstrasse next to the Vienna Opera. The rioters disrupted traffic in downtown Vienna and stopped trains coming in from the country-side. The demonstrations were against a government decree which raised prices as well as wages.
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Communist demonstrators deflated the wheel of a bus, thus closing off Kaerntners...

Communist workers demonstrated against a new wage- and price pact on september 26,1950. They are seen here in front of the Old City Hall in downtown Vienna, where a trade union conference was held.
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Communist workers demonstrated against a new wage- and price pact on september 2...