Austria's Treaty Violation: What You Need To Know

On March 11-13, 1938, Nazi Germany annexed neighbouring Austria, an event known as the Anschluss. This act of territorial expansion violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of the two countries. The Anschluss was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and a significant breach of the post-World War I European order. It demonstrated Hitler's disdain for international treaties and his intention to redraw the map of Europe. The international community's failure to intervene or punish Nazi Germany for this violation set a precedent for appeasement, allowing Hitler to pursue his expansionary policies unchecked. This raises the question: did Austria violate the treaty?

Did the Anschluss violate the Treaty of Versailles?

The Treaty of Versailles was signed on 28 June 1919, officially ending World War I. The treaty placed the blame for inciting the war on Germany and imposed harsh reparations, including the reduction of its armed forces, the ceding of overseas colonies, and the demilitarization of the region around the Rhine River.

The Anschluss, or union, between Germany and Austria was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles. The treaty stated that the "independence of Austria is inalienable otherwise than with the consent of the Council of the League of Nations" and that Austria must "abstain from any act which might directly or indirectly or by any means whatever compromise her independence".

In March 1938, National Socialist elements in Austria, supported by three ultimatums from the German government, forced the resignation of the Austrian Chancellor. Adolf Hitler, the National Socialist Führer and German Chancellor, entered Austria on 12 March 1938, and the National Socialist regime proclaimed that "Austria is a state [Land] of the German Reich". This was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, as it compromised the independence of Austria and constituted a political tie and common political action between Germany and Austria.

The Allies considered the annexation of Austria by Germany as "null and void" and took steps to re-establish an independent Austrian state after World War II.

Did Austria violate the Austrian State Treaty?

The Austrian State Treaty, signed on May 15, 1955, in Vienna, established Austria as a sovereign state and ended 17 years of occupation by foreign troops. The treaty was signed by the Allied occupying powers of France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union, with the neighbouring Federal People's Republic of Yugoslavia acceding soon after. The treaty came into force on July 27, 1955, and included provisions for the withdrawal of all occupation forces and the restoration of Austria's pre-1938 frontiers. It also forbade any future political union between Germany and Austria and detailed the minority rights of the Slovene and Croat minorities.

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, Austria was jointly occupied by the Western Allies and the Soviet Union. The country was divided into four zones, with Vienna being similarly subdivided. This occupation lasted far longer than anticipated due to the breakdown of the wartime "Grand Alliance" and the emergence of the Cold War.

Negotiations over the final status of Austria began in 1947, but a deal was stalled due to the issue of German assets and reparations, as well as the question of Austrian neutrality. The Soviet Union also refused to withdraw from its zone in the eastern part of the country, demanding concessions and reparations from Austria.

It wasn't until the death of Joseph Stalin in 1953 and the subsequent "peace offensive" by his successors that the climate for negotiations improved. The Austrian State Treaty was finally signed in 1955, granting Austria independence and ending foreign occupation in return for a declaration of perpetual neutrality.

There is no evidence to suggest that Austria violated the Austrian State Treaty. On the contrary, Austria successfully maintained its neutrality throughout the Cold War, and the treaty marked the only Cold War-era withdrawal by the Soviet Union from a territory it occupied.

Did Austria violate the Treaty of Saint-Germain?

The Treaty of Saint-Germain, signed on 10 September 1919, marked the official end of World War I for Austria and the successor states of the former Austro-Hungarian monarchy. The treaty included 381 articles, covering a range of political, military, territorial, and economic clauses. So, did Austria violate the Treaty of Saint-Germain?

Violating the Terms

One could argue that Austria was set up to violate the treaty. The treaty reduced Austrian territory to around 40% of its previous size, leaving it landlocked and heavily reliant on trade. The treaty also limited Austria's military capabilities, with a maximum army size of 30,000 men and restrictions on arms manufacturing. Additionally, Austria was required to pay reparations for war damage, further straining its economy. These harsh terms led to widespread dissatisfaction and protests among Austrians, who felt that the treaty violated their right to self-determination.

The 'Anschluss'

One of the most controversial aspects of the treaty was the prohibition of the "Anschluss," or union, between Austria and Germany. This prohibition was strongly opposed by both Austrians and Germans, who believed that unification would solve their financial problems and unite German speakers. Despite the treaty's ban, sentiment for the Anschluss remained high in both countries throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

Violation and Annexation

On 12 March 1938, Adolf Hitler, the National Socialist Führer and German Chancellor, entered Austria and completed the annexation, or 'Anschluss', of Austria by Nazi Germany. This was widely regarded as a consequence of the military, financial, and geographical restrictions imposed on Austria by the Treaty of Saint-Germain.

In conclusion, while there may have been violations of the Treaty of Saint-Germain by Austria, the most significant breach was ultimately the annexation of Austria by Germany, which directly contradicted the treaty's prohibition of the Anschluss.

Did Austria violate the Treaty of Peace with Germany?

The Treaty of Saint-Germain, signed on September 10, 1919, officially recognised the independence of Austria from Germany. The treaty concluded World War I and was signed by representatives of Austria and the Allied Powers. It came into force on July 16, 1920, and included the Covenant of the League of Nations, which expressly forbade the union of Austria with Germany without the consent of the Council of the League.

Despite this, in the years following the treaty, there was considerable sentiment in both Austria and Germany for the Anschluss, or union, of the two countries. On March 19, 1931, the Austrian and German governments signed a protocol at Vienna, agreeing to "enter into negotiations for a treaty to assimilate the tariff and economic policies of their respective countries". This seemed to be at odds with Protocol No. I of October 3, 1922, which guaranteed Austrian independence and involved a pledge by Austria to "abstain from any economic or financial engagement calculated directly or indirectly to compromise this independence". The British government submitted the question to the Council of the League of Nations, and the matter was referred to the Permanent Court of International Justice, which found the proposed customs regime to be incompatible with the Geneva protocol of 1922.

In the years that followed, the Austrian Nazi Party gained supporters, and in 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion. By annexing Austria, the Nazis violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.

Following the Anschluss, Austria ceased to exist as an independent country and became a province of Nazi Germany. The Nazis worked to erase any traces of a separate Austrian identity and subjected Austria's Jewish population to discriminatory laws and restrictions.

Did Austria violate the Treaty of Peace with Austria?

The Treaty of Saint-Germain, signed on September 10, 1919, concluded World War I and was agreed upon by Austria and the Allied Powers. The treaty recognised the independence of several new states, including Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Hungary, and expressly forbade the union of Austria and Germany without the consent of the Council of the League of Nations.

In the aftermath of World War II, Austria was jointly occupied by the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France, and divided into four zones, with Vienna being similarly subdivided. In 1943, the Allies agreed in the Declaration of Moscow that Austria would be regarded as the first victim of Nazi aggression and treated as a liberated and independent country after the war. However, Austria's involvement with Nazi Germany during World War II raised questions about the extent of its collaboration, and the Allies agreed to jointly occupy the country in the postwar period.

On May 15, 1955, representatives of the Soviet Union, the United States, Great Britain, and France signed the Austrian State Treaty, granting Austria independence and arranging for the withdrawal of all occupation forces. This treaty was signed with the understanding that Austria would declare its neutrality, creating a buffer zone between the East and the West during the Cold War. The Austrian State Treaty officially came into force on July 27, 1955, and the last occupation troops left on October 25, 1955.

While there were no clear violations of the Treaty of Saint-Germain by Austria, the country's status during the Cold War era became a subject of controversy. The development of the Cold War also made a treaty between Austria and Germany less likely. However, it is worth noting that Austria maintained its neutrality throughout this period and successfully negotiated its independence during a tense geopolitical climate.

Frequently asked questions