Legal basis of the robberyLaw of 5th December 1918 on the­prohibition of the export and saleof objects of historical, artistic orcultural significanceReproductionSource: ALEX/Austrian National LibraryWhen the Austro-Hungarian monarchycame to an end after the First World War,the Export Prohibition Act entered into forceto ensure that certain objects did not leaveAustria. It was amended in 1923, and theFederal Monuments Authority was givenconsiderable discretionary scope for action.The Nazi regime used this, together with theMonument Protection Act, to expropriateassets and stop those fleeing the countryfrom exporting their property. After 1945, thetwo laws prevented the export of restitutedassets or made their export conditionalon“donations” of some of the assets to a­federal museum.MRFederal law of 25th January 1923amending the Law of 5th December 1918[…] on the prohibition of the exportand sale of objects of historical, artisticor cultural significanceReproductionSource: ALEX/Austrian National LibraryFederal law of 25th September 1923 onrestrictions on the disposal of objects ofhistorical, artistic or cultural significance(Monument Protection Act)ReproductionSource: ALEX/Austrian National LibraryReich Citizenship Act and Act of 15thSeptember 1935 for the Protectionof German Blood and German HonourReproductionQuelle: ALEX/Österreichische Source:ALEX/Austrian National LibraryThe systematic disenfranchisement andpersecution of Jews and others was backedby racial laws and regulations within theNazi legislation. The Nuremberg RaceLaws deprived them of political and civilrights. Bans on working, the invalidationof ­passports, the ban on participating in­economic life, on renting property andattending schools, etc., gradually limitedthe possibilities and deprived those con-cerned of their livelihoods.MPOrdinance of 14th April 1938 on theImplementation of the Reich Flight Taxin AustriaReproductionSource: ALEX/Austrian National Library88