Kurt Schussnigg

Kurt Schussnigg Historical Figure Nationality: Austria, naturalized citizen of the United States Year of Birth: 1897 Year of Death: 1977 Cause of Death: Natural Causes Religion: Catholicism Occupation: Educator, Lawyer, Politician Spouse: Twice widowed Fictional Appearances: Southern Victory POD: September 10, 1862 Appearance(s): The Victorious Opposition Type of Appearance: Direct Nationality: Austria-Hungary Occupation: Diplomat

Kurt Alois Josef Johann Schussnigg (1897-1977) was Chancellor of the Federal State of Austria, following the assassination of his predecessor, Engelbert Dollfuss, in July 1934, until Nazi Germany’s annexation of Austria in March 1938 Anschluss. He opposed to Adolf Hitler’s ambitions to absorb Austria into the Third Reich, but ultimately failed, prompting him to resign his office. After Germany completed the annexation, Schussnigg was arrested by the Germans, kept in solitary confinement and eventually interned in various concentration camps. He was liberated in 1945 by the advancing United States Army and spent most of the rest of his life in academia in the United States. He published a few non-fiction works.

Kurt Schussnigg in Southern Victory

Kurt Schussnigg or Schuschnigg was Austria-Hungary's ambassador to the United States in the years leading up to the Second Great War. On Remembrance Day, 1941, as the Entente was regaining its power, Schussnigg gave what was viewed as a "ferocious", but incomprehensible, speech; Schussnigg's English was heavily accented. Presumably, the content of that speech was a reaffirmation Austria-Hungary's alliance with Germany and the United States, much like the speech given by his German counter-part, Ambassador Hjalmar Horace Greeley Schacht.

Political offices (OTL)
Preceded by Engelbert Dollfuß	Federal Chancellor of Austria 1934–1938	Succeeded by Arthur Seyss-Inquart
Preceded by Egon Berger-Waldenegg	Foreign Minister of Austria 14 May 1936 – 11 July 1936	Succeeded by Guido Schmidt