Ostmarker

Ostmarker refers to a historical region within Germany, primarily associated with the eastern territories of the Holy Roman Empire and later various German states. The term "Ostmark" itself translates to "Eastern March" or "Eastern Borderland," indicating its strategic importance as a frontier territory. Historically, these lands were often settled or controlled by Germanic peoples who pushed eastward into Slavic territories.

During the medieval period, various Ostmarken existed, serving as buffer zones against potential incursions from the east. The most prominent of these was the Ostmark of Austria, which eventually evolved into the Duchy and later Archduchy of Austria, forming the core of the Habsburg Empire. Other Ostmarken were established in regions that would later become parts of Brandenburg, Saxony, and Prussia.

The concept of Ostmark also gained renewed significance in the 20th century. Following the Anschluss of Austria in 1938, Nazi Germany renamed the federal state of Austria to Reichsgau Ostmark. This designation aimed to integrate Austria more fully into the German Reich and reflect its perceived role as an eastern part of the Greater German Reich. After World War II, this designation ceased to exist. The term Ostmark is now primarily of historical interest, referring to these distinct eastern border regions of German expansion and settlement throughout history.