[VideoView]

Agnes Harb

Do you know about the 'one thousand mark ban'?
video length:
05:23
interviewer:
Ruth Deutschmann
photography:
Benjamin Epp
copyright location:
Aldrans
date of recording:
2008-06-16
English translation by:
Sylvia Manning - Baumgartner
Italian translation by:
Nicole D´Incecco
event
[1933-05-28] "1000 Mark-lock" On 15 May 1933 is reported to the German Reich Commissioner of Justice Dr. Hans Frank, who appeared in Austria in national-socialist events as a speaker. This leads to enormous tensions between Austria and the German Reich. On 27 May 1933 is taken by the Nazi government against Austria, the "thousand-mark barrier". From now on, German citizens upon entry into Austria to pay a fee of 1,000 Reichsmark (about 10.000 €, according to current purchasing power), resulting in severe damage to the Austrian tourism. On 19 June 1933 the Nazi party is banned in Austria.
event
[1938-03-12] Armed Forces - Invasion The morning begins the invasion of the German Wehrmacht and the reception on the evening of Adolf Hitler in Linz. Immediately after the invasion begins the persecution of political opponents of the Nazi regime. By the end of March there will be around 20,000 people. Many opponents of the regime trying to flee abroad, some commit suicide, including Emil Fey (Home Guard leader), and Egon Friedell (writer).
event
[1936-07-11] 1000 Mark Lock - Agreement The German-Austrian agreement also "July Agreement" is the result of the convergence of Austrian politics to that of fascist Italy, Austria and the desire to repeal the 1000 Mark-lock. Austria was under the agreement, pardon the jailed Nazis and record two spokespersons of the opposition in the government. On the German side, the thousand-mark-block be reversed.
place of recording
Innsbruck
???iuimd_video_v_zeit_zuordnung_en???:
1938
transcription:
Do you know about the 'one thousand mark ban'? It was introduced in 1933. It was like putting a noose around our necks ? for Austria but especially for Tyrol. The deal was totally ... every German citizen who wanted to cross the border had to pay 1000 euros ? no, marks. Who had that kind of money? That was Hitler's policy. He suddenly paralyzed the country. So that, so to speak ... the people were happy when he did come. Young people got work then too. I was there when he turned up. A lady I knew, a lawyer's secretary was with me. Her father was a senior civil servant at the department of education, no, minister of trade and commerce. Yes, he was minister of trade. His daughter was in Innsbruck and sometimes in our village. And she said: "Come along, Agnes." I was always curious about everything. I wanted to see Hitler at the train station square in Innsbruck. Back then, Hotel Tyrol was the best hotel in town. That's where Hitler stayed. We did... It was the first time I set eyes on him, saw him. We didn't get very close. There was such a crowd there, standing shoulder to shoulder... and people were ecstatic! That's the only reason I can find for them shouting so! And such sights ? the SS were there; they were an elite group. What a wonderful picture they made, all the same height. Just like the Kaiserjäger under the Emperor during the monarchy. They were also a specialized group, specially trained. The uniforms and everything were really impressive. But the people were shouting: "Führer come soon, our feet are getting cold!" They were happy, really in ecstasy. They were 'wild', if you understand what I mean. And, I remember exactly, there was an old gentleman, quite grey-haired, standing near us at the train station, and he said ? this has stayed with me all my life long: "You must consider," ? he didn't speak loudly, but we understood anyway when he said: "The Anschluss (annexation) will bring war and at the end there will be hunger and sickness." That's exactly what happened. It really is. At first there were cheers but afterwards? That's how... Hitler introduced the thousand mark ban to cripple the Austrian economy, to wear Austria down. When the country is on its knees economically then it needs help from the outside, that's completely logical. We were so beleaguered by him, that's what happened. That was his political strategy. And then of course, when the border opened there was a gigantic organization called 'Strength through Joy'. It was a large travel agency for all of Germany called 'NAT', also represented in Austria. Here in Weer there was a young man, originally a teacher at the Paulinum in Schwaz, who opened a restaurant. He was the NAT representative for all of Austria. He earned quite a lot as he was a good businessman. Then busses arrived, hordes of them! The Easter holidays were right after the Anschluss. The Anschluss was in March, Easter was right afterwards. In Innsbruck the busses stopped at Bozner Platz (square). Nowadays they're not at Bozner Platz anymore. There were so many busses there, all of them 'Strength through Joy'. The people looked it ? 'Strength through Joy'! They promised us paradise ? at the beginning that is. And people found work. Hitler also helped agriculture a lot, you have to admit! He wasn't stupid. He knew that feeding the population was the most important thing.