The Struggle for Democracy Before 1918: Fundamental Rights and Political Participation
This animation film is just under 5 minutes. It shows milestones in the struggle for fundamental rights and political participation in Austria. We will now give you a brief overview, after which you are welcome to watch the film.
In the top left-hand corner, you see a year. The film starts in 1789 with the French Revolution, and ends in 1918 with the proclamation of the democratic Republic in Austria.
There is a red arrow at the top in the middle. The arrow indicates division of power between the Emperor, the so-called Kaiser, and the people at the time.
The history of the right to vote is also included in the film. In 1907 all men had the right to vote, and every vote was considered equal. With the establishment of the democratic Republic in 1918, women also received suffrage, making Austria one of the first countries that gave women the right to vote.