Carinthian Slovenes
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Carinthian Slovenes
(Slovene: Koroški
Slovenci;
German: Kärntner
Slowenen;
Austro-Bavarian: Kärntna Slowénen) are the
Slovene-speaking population group in the
Austrian State of Carinthia. The Carinthian
Slovenes send representatives to the Nation-
al Ethnic Groups Advisory Council. The
status of the minority group is guaranteed in
principle constitutionally and under interna-
tional law.
History
Migration period
The Slovene language area was initially
settled towards the end of the migration peri-
od by, among others, the western Slavs, and
thereafter eventually by southern Slavs, who
became the predominant group. A southern
Slavonic informal
language with western
Slavonic influence arose. At the end of the
migration period, a Slavic national proto-
state called Carantania, the precursor of the
later Duchy of Carinthia, arose; it extended
The Prince’s Stone on which Carinthian
princes were enthroned.
far beyond the present area of the present
state and its political centre is said to have
lain in the Zollfeld.
Middle Ages and modern times
Under Charlemagne, Carantania became part
of the Frankish Empire and, in consequence,
of the Holy Roman Empire. As a result of
this, German noble families became gradu-
ally prevalent, while the population remained
Slovene. Finally, the Bavarii moved into Car-
inthia as settlers. They settled the hitherto
sparsely populated areas, such as wooded re-
gions and high valleys. Only here and there
did this lead to the direct displacement of
Slavs (the development to being Slovenians
did not take place until later). However, a
process of assimilation of Slovenes by Ger-
mans began. In the 19th century, about two
thirds of the Carinthia