Hitler's Annexation Of Austria: How Did It Happen?

On 12 March 1938, German troops invaded Austria. Hitler had demanded that Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg appoint members of Austria's Nazi Party to his cabinet and give them full political rights, or face an invasion by the German army. Schuschnigg called for a national plebiscite, or vote, to take place on 13 March, so that Austrians could decide for themselves whether they wished their nation to remain independent or become part of the Third Reich. However, before the plebiscite could take place, Schuschnigg gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on 11 March. The next day, German troops occupied Austria. Hitler arrived in Vienna on 15 March and officially declared that Austria was now part of the German Empire: the Anschluss.

Hitler's meeting with Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg

On February 12, 1938, Hitler arranged a meeting with Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, who had been appointed after his predecessor's assassination. Hitler demanded that von Schuschnigg appoint members of Austria's Nazi Party to his cabinet and give them full political rights, or face an invasion by the German army. Von Schuschnigg, fearful that Hitler intended to take over Austria, called for a national plebiscite, or vote, to take place on Sunday, March 13, so that Austrians could decide for themselves whether they wished their nation to remain independent or become part of the Third Reich.

Hitler had other plans, however, and on March 12, 1938, German troops occupied Austria 24 hours before the plebiscite was due to be held. The next day, Austria's parliament formally approved the annexation. Austria no longer existed as a nation; it was now a province of Germany. On April 10, 1938, Austrians were asked whether they supported the March 13 Anschluss. 99.75% of voters said that they supported Germany's annexation of Austria into the Third Reich.

Hitler's meeting with von Schuschnigg was a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the annexation of Austria. Von Schuschnigg had hoped to reassert his country's independence, but he was bullied into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. When von Schuschnigg called for a national vote, Hitler pressured him to resign on March 11. In his resignation address, under coercion from the Nazis, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" into the country.

Hitler's demands for Austrian Nazi Party members to be appointed to the cabinet

On February 12, 1938, Hitler met with Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, who had been appointed after his predecessor's assassination. Hitler demanded that Schuschnigg appoint members of Austria's Nazi Party to his cabinet and give full political rights to the party, or face an invasion by the German army. Schuschnigg, fearful that Hitler intended to take over Austria, called for a national plebiscite, or vote, to take place on March 13, so that Austrians could decide for themselves whether they wished their nation to remain independent or become part of the Third Reich.

Schuschnigg initially resisted Hitler's demands, but he was under intense pressure. On March 9, he called for a national vote on the question of annexation, hoping to resolve the issue once and for all. However, before the vote could take place, Schuschnigg gave in to Hitler's demands and resigned on March 11. In his resignation address, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" into the country.

The Austrian plebiscite

On February 12, 1938, Hitler met with Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg and demanded that he appoint members of Austria's Nazi Party to his cabinet and give them full political rights. If he refused, Hitler threatened to invade with the German army. In response, von Schuschnigg called for a national plebiscite, or vote, to take place on March 13, so that Austrians could decide for themselves whether they wanted to remain independent or become part of the Third Reich.

Before the plebiscite could take place, von Schuschnigg gave in to Hitler's demands and resigned on March 11. In his resignation address, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" into the country. The next day, German troops occupied Austria.

Hitler then travelled to Vienna, where he gave a speech on March 15, officially declaring that Austria was now part of the German Empire: the Anschluss. Austria had become a province of Germany, known as the Ostmark.

On April 10, 1938, Austrians were asked whether they supported the Anschluss. 99.75% of voters said that they supported Germany's annexation of Austria into the Third Reich.

German troops invading Austria

On 12 March 1938, German troops invaded Austria. Hitler had demanded that Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg appoint members of Austria's Nazi Party to his cabinet and give them full political rights, or face an invasion by the German army. Schuschnigg called for a national plebiscite, or vote, to take place on 13 March, so that Austrians could decide for themselves whether they wished their nation to remain independent or become part of the Third Reich. However, before the vote could take place, Schuschnigg gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on 11 March, pleading with Austrian forces not to resist a German 'advance' into the country.

Hitler accompanied his troops as they rushed towards Vienna. He visited his birthplace at Braunau am Inn on the south bank of Austria's Inn River and then on to Linz, where he had attended school. There, he called for an immediate Anschluss. The next day, Austria's parliament formally approved the annexation. Austria no longer existed as a nation; it was now a province of Germany.

On 15 March, Hitler gave a speech in Vienna and officially declared that Austria was now part of the German Empire: the Anschluss. Austria had become a German province: the Ostmark. Hitler appointed Arthur Seyss-Inquart governor. Many Germans and Austrians were enthusiastic about the union of the two countries, and on 10 April 1938, 99.75% of Austrian voters said that they supported the Anschluss.

Hitler's speech in Vienna

On 15 March 1938, Hitler gave a speech in Vienna, declaring that Austria was now part of the German Empire. This was the culmination of a series of events that had begun a few months earlier, when Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite their nation with Nazi Germany.

Hitler had met with Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, who was attempting to reassert his country's independence. However, Hitler bullied von Schuschnigg into appointing several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. Von Schuschnigg then called for a national plebiscite, or vote, to take place on 13 March, so that Austrians could decide for themselves whether they wished to become part of the Third Reich.

Before the plebiscite could take place, however, von Schuschnigg resigned on 11 March, under pressure from Hitler. German troops occupied Austria on 12 March, and Hitler arrived in Vienna the next day. He visited his birthplace and his parents' grave, and then gave his speech on 15 March, officially declaring the annexation of Austria.

The speech was met with enthusiasm by many Germans and Austrians, who had long wanted the two countries to be joined. A plebiscite held on 10 April 1938 showed that 99.75% of voters supported the annexation.

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