Ethnically, are Germans and Austrians the same people?

Question

I realize both countries have their own cultures, history and such. But if you trace back their history before civilizations and such, are they the same people ethnically?

Answer 1

Ethnicity involves culture, language, common traditions as well as genetic background.  The German and Austrians are ethnically different.  According to the World Factbook:

Germany is German 91.5%, Turkish 2.4%, other 6.1% (made up largely of Greek, Italian, Polish, Russian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish)

Austria is Austrians 91.1%, former Yugoslavs 4% (includes Croatians, Slovenes, Serbs, and Bosniaks), Turks 1.6%, German 0.9%, other or unspecified 2.4% (2001 census).

Austria was united with Germany until 1806.  This is just over 200 years ago.  

Germany was a mix of Ostrogoths, Visigoths, Lombards, Franks, Anglo-Saxons, Bavarians, Prussians and others.  Austria had a similar mix prior to their inclusion in the German Holy Roman Empire.

It might be best to say the Germans and Austrians are distinct, yet have a lot of common background and history.

Answer 2

Yes and no.

The indigenous tribes that occupied both countries were conquered by the Romans (15-55 BC). Charlemagne's empire incorporated both countries after halting Roman expansion. Both countries were later conqured by Prussia in the 18th Century.

Ethnically, present day Austria and Germany include many different people from many parts of Europe; Hungarian, Bavarian, Turks, Slavs, Italians and more.

Answer 3

That depends on the boundaries you apply to ethnicity.

They' re both Germanic. Like the Dutch, the Danes or the Norwegians. From that point of view, the answer is YES.

On the other hand, Old Germania was inhabited by a multitude of Germanic tribes. Some of those tribes crossed the roman border and mixed with local people of the Roman Empire; The most important were; Franks (some of them) and Burgundians to France, Belgium and partially, Switzerland ; Visigoths to Spain and Portugal ; Ostrogoths first and Lombards later to Italy. But there were many more. Not to mention most Anglos and some Saxons to England, but that's a peculiar case.  The others, remained at the other side of the border. From that point of view, the answer is NO, because Germany itself is a melting pot of Saxons, Franks, Bavarians, Swabians and many others.

In fact, in medieval "Germany" there were 6 independent duchies commonly referred as ethnic duchies of the Holy Roman Empire; Franconia, Bavaria, Turingia, Saxony, Suabia, and another one I can't remember.

Answer 4

if you trace back their history you will find that germans are not ethnically the same people, let alone germans and austrians. you don't even need to precede civilization, much of the migration has occurred in the last 2 thousand years and historical records exist.

the history of the city of frankfurt-am-main is a good example. around 800 AD the frankish army was being pursued by the saxon army. the francs were fortunate to find a ford to cross the river main. they crossed the river and set up camp on a site that had previously been a roman town. the camp became a city which they called franconoford, the ford of the francs. on the other side of the river the saxon army camped. their encampment also became permanent and is still known locally as sachsenhausen, the houses of the saxons.

Answer 5

Not the same ethnically.