Austria's Nazi Takeover: A Historical Perspective

On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, annexing the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the culmination of years of political tension and intrigue between the two countries, and it marked a significant step in Hitler's expansionist agenda.

Hitler's desire for a Greater Germany

Hitler's belief in the superiority of the Aryan race and the need for more land for Germany to expand and flourish was a significant factor in the outbreak of World War II. He aimed to acquire more land in Eastern Europe to provide resources and space for the German people. This expansionist policy was rooted in Nazi ideology, which sought to incorporate as many ethnic Germans outside Germany as possible into a "Greater Germany."

Hitler's vision of a Greater Germany was not limited to Europe. He also had ambitions for Africa and Asia, believing that Germany needed to secure its future by gaining access to resources and markets in these regions. Hitler's plans for a Greater Germany were not just about territorial expansion but also about establishing German dominance and influence globally.

The pursuit of a Greater Germany had far-reaching consequences, leading to World War II and the deaths of millions. Hitler's desire for a Greater Germany shaped the course of history, leaving a legacy of devastation and suffering in its wake.

Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg's resignation

In early 1938, Schuschnigg announced plans for a referendum on March 13th, offering Austrians a choice between a possible union with Germany and maintaining Austrian sovereignty. This announcement was met with strong opposition from Hitler, who demanded Schuschnigg's resignation and the appointment of a pro-Nazi chancellor, Arthur Seyss-Inquart. Schuschnigg initially resisted, but as tensions escalated and the threat of invasion loomed, he chose to resign on March 11th, 1938, to avoid bloodshed.

In his resignation address, Schuschnigg pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist the German advance, hoping to prevent violence and preserve peace. However, his resignation did not deter Hitler's plans for annexation. On March 12th, German troops marched into Austria, and Hitler appointed Seyss-Inquart as the new chancellor. The annexation, known as the "Anschluss," was proclaimed on March 13th, 1938, marking the end of an independent Austria until the end of World War II.

Schuschnigg's resignation was a pivotal moment in Austria's history, as it paved the way for the country's unification with Nazi Germany. Despite his initial resistance, Schuschnigg ultimately succumbed to pressure and threats, prioritizing the avoidance of bloodshed over continued resistance to Hitler's demands. His resignation marked a significant step towards the realization of Hitler's goal of creating a Greater Germany that included Austria.

German troops marching into Austria

On the morning of March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria. The 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht crossed the border, unopposed by the Austrian military, which had been ordered not to resist by the Austrian government. The invading forces were greeted by cheering Austrians with Nazi salutes, Nazi flags, and flowers.

The invasion was the first big test of the Wehrmacht's machinery. Although the invading forces were badly organized and coordination among the units was poor, it didn't matter due to the lack of resistance. That afternoon, Hitler, riding in a car, crossed the border at his birthplace, Braunau am Inn, with a 4,000-man bodyguard. In the evening, he arrived at Linz and was given an enthusiastic welcome by 250,000 Austrians.

Hitler's journey through Austria became a triumphal tour that climaxed in Vienna on March 15, 1938, when around 200,000 cheering German Austrians gathered around the Heldenplatz (Square of Heroes) to hear Hitler proclaim the completion of the annexation of Austria to form a Greater German Reich.

The seizure of Austria demonstrated Hitler's aggressive territorial ambitions and, once again, the failure of the British and the French to take action against him for violating the Versailles Treaty. Their lack of will emboldened him toward further aggression.

Hitler's appointment of a new Nazi government

On 30 January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg. This event is known as the Machtergreifung (seizure of power). Hitler's first cabinet was called the Reich Cabinet of National Salvation, a coalition of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) and the national conservative German National People's Party (DNVP).

Hitler's cabinet consisted of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, and the heads of 10 Reich Ministries. Initially, Hermann Göring (without portfolio) and Wilhelm Frick (Interior) were the only Nazi ministers. However, Hitler's appointment as Chancellor enabled him to appoint two NSDAP members to important positions. Hermann Göring, a minister without portfolio, was able to control the police force of Prussia, the larger part of Germany.

Hitler ruled Germany autocratically by asserting the Führerprinzip (leader principle), which called for absolute obedience of all subordinates. Rank in the party was not determined by elections; positions were filled through appointments by those of higher rank. Hitler's leadership style included giving contradictory orders to his subordinates and placing them in positions where their duties overlapped with those of others, creating an environment of distrust, competition, and infighting.

Hitler also used propaganda to develop a cult of personality around himself, with Joseph Goebbels as the future Minister of Propaganda. The Nazis focused on voters from all walks of life and attracted many people who had never voted before.

Hitler's appointment as Chancellor was the first step in his plan to establish a dictatorship in Germany. Within months, the Nazi Party used a process called Gleichschaltung (co-ordination) to bring all aspects of life under the control of the party. All civilian organisations, including agricultural groups, volunteer organisations, and sports clubs, had their leadership replaced with Nazi sympathisers or party members. By July 1933, all other political parties had been banned or had dissolved themselves, and the Law Against the Formation of Parties declared the Nazis the only legal party.

In March 1933, the Reichstag Fire Decree and the Enabling Act gave Hitler's regime the power to pass and enforce laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or the German President, effectively making him a dictator. The civil rights of German citizens were curtailed, and freedom of expression was no longer guaranteed. The political opponents of the Nazis were outlawed, and the first concentration camps were opened.

Hitler's appointment as Chancellor, followed by the suspension of basic rights and the establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship, set the stage for the Nazis' aggressive territorial ambitions, including the annexation of Austria in 1938.

The rigged referendum

On the 10th of April 1938, a referendum was held in German-occupied Austria, alongside one in Germany, on the Anschluss with Germany. This was a sham referendum, as German troops had already invaded and occupied Austria a month earlier, on the 12th of March 1938, to prevent a vote on Austrian sovereignty from taking place. The official result of the referendum was 99.73% in favour, with a 99.71% turnout. However, this result needs to be taken with caution as there were several factors that rigged the vote in favour of the Nazis.

Firstly, political enemies (communists, socialists, etc.) and Austrian citizens of Roma or Jewish origin—roughly 360,000 people or 8% of the Austrian population—were not allowed to vote. The ballot was also not secret, and threats and coercion were employed to manipulate the vote. For example, the "yes" option on the ballot paper was placed in the centre and was much larger than the "no" option. Additionally, many people marked the ballot paper in front of campaign workers to avoid being suspected of voting against the Anschluss. The secrecy of the ballot was non-existent.

The massive pressure to vote in favour of the Anschluss also came from the fact that Hitler's forces had suppressed all opposition. Before the first German soldier crossed the border, Heinrich Himmler and other Schutzstaffel (SS) officers landed in Vienna to arrest prominent representatives of the First Republic. During the few weeks between the invasion and the referendum, authorities rounded up Social Democrats, Communists, other political dissenters, and Austrian Jews, imprisoning or sending them to concentration camps. Within a few days of the invasion, 70,000 people had been arrested.

The referendum question was: "Do you agree with the reunification of Austria with the German Reich that was enacted on 13 March 1938 and do you vote for the party of our leader Adolf Hitler?" The officially published results showed 99.73% of voters in favour. However, according to the estimates of the Austrian government, with a voting age of 24, about 70% of Austrians would have voted to preserve Austrian independence. In the case of a fair plebiscite, the Anschluss would have only been supported by 20% of the Austrian population.

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