Engelbert Dollfuss served as the Chancellor of Austria from 1932 until his assassination in 1934. He was known for his authoritarian regime, which sought to suppress the rising influence of both communists and Nazis. On July 25, 1934, a group of Austrian National Socialists, with support from Nazi Germany, executed a violent coup attempt against his government in Vienna. The conspirators attacked the chancellery, where Dollfuss was located, with the intention of capturing him and instigating a broader insurrection.

During the chaos, Dollfuss was shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries shortly after. His assassination was marked by fierce gunfights between loyal government forces and the attackers, emphasizing the volatility within Austria at that time. Dollfuss's government had previously clashed with the Nazis, who aimed to integrate Austria into a greater German Reich, and his death intensified the conflict between the two factions.

In the aftermath, Austria's political landscape remained tumultuous. The failed coup solidified the Austrian government’s resolve against the Nazis, leading to a crackdown on Nazi activities in the country. The assassination highlighted the internal strife within Austria, contributing to a climate of fear and instability. Moreover, it served as a precursor to the eventual annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.