Page "Engelbert Dollfuss" Paragraph 7

Dollfuss was concerned that with German National Socialist leader Adolf Hitler becoming Chancellor of Germany in 1933, the Austrian National Socialists ( DNSAP ) could gain a significant minority in future elections ( according to fascism scholar Stanley G. Payne, should elections have been held in 1933, the DNSAP could have mustered about 25 % of the votes-contemporary TIME analysts suggests a higher support of 50 %, with a 75 % approval rate in the Tyrol region bordering Nazi Germany ).

As well, the Soviet Union's influence in Europe had increased throughout the 1920s and early 1930s.

Dollfuss banned the DNSAP in June 1933 and the communists later on.

Under the banner of Christian Social Party, he later on established a one-party dictatorship rule largely modeled after fascism in Italy, banning all other Austrian parties including the Social Democratic Labour Party ( SDAPÖ ).

Social Democrats however continued to exist as an independent organization, including its paramilitary Republikaner Schutzbund, which could muster tens of thousands against Dollfuss ' government.