Give the Führer your ‘yes’! The latest on the 1938 referendums

Anyone planning a referendum should word the question in such a way that the electorate can, in any case, answer ‘Yes’.

In 1938, the people of Innsbruck were called upon to give such a ‘yes’ vote not once but twice in quick succession. Strictly speaking, not everyone was called upon; entire sections of the population were excluded from the votes. And in the end, only one of the planned referendums was actually held.

Shortly before, the city of Innsbruck had been magnificently decorated – a famous visitor had announced his arrival. The people were in a frenzy, for a Führer had come from the Reich. Unsurprisingly, the result of the vote on 10 April was almost 100 per cent in favour – a ‘Yes!’ for the Führer.

The holdings in Service Unit City Archives/City Museum document these votes from the perspective of the authorities responsible for the elections. The results are compared with an almost identical referendum held in 1921, as well as with the final election results of the First Republic, and are illustrated with contemporary posters and images.

Exhibition team

Project Manager and Curator: Niko Hofinger

Exhibition installation: Niko Hofinger, Robert Simmerle