Chapter Six - Te Deum Laudamus

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 Chapter Six
 Te Deum Laudamus

Vienna

March and April 1932
And April 1934
 
In this chapter, Bekka is confirmed and introduced to relics of her ancestors and beloved Sisi. Zita and Sophie decide that she should become a Carmelite nun. We learn of the troubles afflicting Austria after the Great War, the rise of Engebert Dollfuß, the problem of the Nazis within Austria, and the early push of Hitler to annex Austria (stated in Mein Kampf on the first page, as Otto notes.) In response to this a one-party Catholic State is devised in Austria with the aid of the Pope, and political dissidents - socialists, communists, and Nazis - are banned. Hitler takes power in Germany, and Otto is approached by a Hohenzollern cousin to meet with Hitler; fearing kidnap, he declines and narrowly avoids capture by the Gestapo when leaving Germany. While visiting the family in Vienna after meeting with Dollfuß about a constitutional monarchy, Otto enlists Bekka as his 'good will ambassador' after she passionately declares that she wants to do more than pray for him. The Nazis stage a coup against the Austrian goverment, taking over the Ballhaus and murdering Dollfuß; Kurt von Schuschnigg is made Chancellor in his stead. 
 
Bekka and the Karlskirche, and Sisi's rosary:


 
Carmelite Monastery at Dobling in Vienna:
 

 Engelbert Dollfuß:



 Pope Pius XI:


 Dr. Kurt von Schuschnigg:

Otto at this time:


Crown Prince August Wilhelm Hohenzollern in SA uniform:

 

 TIME magazine article on the hopes of a Habsburg restoration-Monday March 19, 1934. Four pages, quite detailed. 
Dollfuss assassinated by Nazis in Vienna - Short video discusses the Fatherland Front, Austrofascism, and the Nazi coup
Dollfuss speaking at the Schonbrunn, Nazi protests  - British Movietone. Dollfuß speaking after an assassination attempt. It is rather disingenuous to call it a 'civil war' - it was about four days long. 
News Item on the Coup A United Press dispatch to the London Evening News from Vienna.

 


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