First World War

The First World War was the first total war in human history, the first armed conflict between industrial powers on a global scale. Advanced industrialisation and mechanisation were largely responsible for the way the war was waged, and the immense number of casualties. Prices rose enormously during the war. Politics and administration had virtually no experience in food rationing or price regulation. As a result, action often lagged behind needs. In Linz a sporadic and inadequate food supply repeatedly led to popular unrest during the war.

Labour walkouts and demonstrations were the result. At the end of the war the Austro-Hungarian monarchy fell apart. It was not until the First Republic that the Linz City Council was to be elected following democratic principles.