The de-Nazification of the professorate at the University of Vienna

Beginning at the end of April 1945, two contrary processes can be identified as a reaction to the fact that three quarters of the professorate of the University of Vienna were either applicants or members of the NSDAP, followers, organized supporters, beneficiaries, functionaries or masterminds of the National Socialist system. These processes were on the one hand de-Nazification, and on the other hand amnesties and rehabilitation. The former process began very quickly and was done relatively thoroughly, but became intermingled with the latter around 1947 and then died down and ended in late 1947. The latter process, noticeable as a counter-movement from the start, gradually intensified from 1947/48 onwards and remained active until the 1950s. Both were mainly judicial processes, steered by the authorities and based on formal criteria. At the same time, they did receive an ideological and party-political character through the key role of the department head Otto Skrbensky in the Ministry of Education.