Austria's Break From Germany: Historical Reasons

Austria and Germany have a long and complex history. In 1866, Prussia's military victory over Austria led to two German nations from 1871 to 1918. After World War I, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany, but this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919). In 1936, Austria was forced to sign an agreement with Germany, declaring itself a German state and agreeing to follow Germany's foreign policy lead. In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. However, on 27 April 1945, Austria claimed independence and separated from Germany for the second time.

The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919)

The treaty came about after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires at the end of World War I. In 1866, Prussia had gained hegemony over nearly all German states, leading to two German nations from 1871 to 1918. Despite this, in 1936, Austria was forced to come to an agreement with Germany, declaring itself a "German state" and agreeing to always follow Germany's lead in foreign policy. This agreement, however, did not lead to a full union, as the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye had forbidden.

In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what would come to be called the Anschluss. This was achieved through political pressure and the threat of military force, with Hitler ordering troops to the Austrian border. Despite resistance from Fascist Italy, which sent troops to deter a German invasion, Austria ultimately became part of Germany.

Following the Anschluss, Austria claimed independence and was secondly separated from Germany on 27 April 1945, under Allied control. This further weakened the German identity in Austria, solidifying the separation of the two nations.

Austria's brief union with Germany

Austria and Germany were briefly united between 1938 and 1945. In 1918, after the end of World War I, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in a bid for union with Germany. However, this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919) created by the winners of World War I against both Germany and Austria.

In 1936, Austria was suffering from a German boycott and was forced to come to an agreement with Germany. Chancellor of Austria, Kurt Schuschnigg, signed an agreement with German ambassador Franz von Papen, in which Schuschnigg agreed to the release of Nazis imprisoned in Austria and Germany promised to respect Austrian sovereignty. Under the terms of the Austro-German treaty, Austria declared itself a "German state" that would always follow Germany's lead in foreign policy.

In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what would come to be called the Anschluss. Hitler ordered troops to the Austrian border, prepared for a full-scale military assault into Austria to support the National Socialists. Hitler realised that the German Army was not prepared to take on both the Austrians and the Italian Army, who had sent troops to the Austrian border at Brenner to deter a possible invasion.

On 11 March 1938, Schuschnigg resigned, and Arthur Seyss-Inquart, an Austrian Nazi politician, became chancellor. He invited the German Army to cross the border, and Anschluss was declared the next day as Austria became part of Germany. Britain and France did not intervene. Following the end of World War II, Austria under Allied control claimed independence and was separated from Germany on 27 April 1945.

Austria's declaration of itself as a 'German state'

Austria's declaration of itself as a German state came about as a result of the Anschluss, or union, with Germany. On 11 July 1936, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg signed an agreement with German ambassador Franz von Papen, in which Austria acknowledged itself as a "German state". In return, Germany promised to respect Austrian sovereignty.

The agreement left Austria open to Nazi infiltration. In January 1938, the Austrian police discovered a new Nazi conspiracy. Schuschnigg hoped to defeat this by meeting with Hitler, but he was faced with threats of military intervention in support of the Austrian Nazis. He was forced to agree to give them a general amnesty and to include some leading Nazis in his cabinet.

The declaration of Austria as a German state was not universally popular. On 27 April 1945, a provisional government in Allied-occupied Austria declared the Anschluss "null und nichtig" (null and void). From this point on, Austria was recognised as a separate country, although it remained divided into occupation zones and controlled by the Allied Commission until 1955, when the Austrian State Treaty restored its sovereignty.

Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria

In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what would come to be called the Anschluss. This was a significant event in the history of both countries, and it had a lasting impact on their relations.

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany was the result of a complex series of political and economic manoeuvres. By 1936, Austria was suffering from a German boycott, which had caused significant damage to the country's economy. Chancellor of Austria, Kurt Schuschnigg, was under pressure to reach an agreement with Germany. On 11 July 1936, he signed the Austro-German treaty with German ambassador Franz von Papen, in which Austria declared itself a "German state" and agreed to always follow Germany's lead in foreign policy. In exchange, Germany promised to respect Austrian sovereignty and cease terrorist attacks by Austrian Nazis against the government.

Despite the treaty, tensions between the two countries remained high. Hitler ordered troops to the Austrian border, threatening a full-scale military assault. Fascist Italy, which was closely tied to the regime in Vienna, sent troops to the Austrian border at Brenner to deter a possible German invasion. Hitler briefly considered pulling back, realising that the German Army was not prepared to take on both the Austrians and the Italian Army. However, he ultimately decided to proceed with the annexation.

Hitler pressured Schuschnigg to accept Nazi ministers into his government, and the Austrian chancellor cancelled a planned plebiscite on the Anschluss. On 11 March, Schuschnigg resigned, and Arthur Seyss-Inquart, an Austrian Nazi politician, became chancellor. He invited the German Army to cross the border, and the next day, the Anschluss was declared, with Austria becoming part of Germany. Britain and France did not intervene, following a policy of appeasement. A month later, Hitler held a plebiscite, claiming a 99% vote in favour of the annexation and his rule.

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany had far-reaching consequences. It marked a significant expansion of Hitler's power and influence in Europe and was a key step in his quest for domination of the continent. The annexation also had a profound impact on the Austrian people, with many experiencing persecution and oppression under Nazi rule. Following the end of World War II, Austria claimed independence and separated from Germany on 27 April 1945, marking a new chapter in the country's history.

Austria's independence from Germany in 1945

Schuschnigg had been pressured by Hitler into accepting Nazi ministers into his government. He called for a plebiscite on the Anschluss, but then cancelled the vote. Seyss-Inquart, meanwhile, did nothing to stop Nazi supporters from sparking anti-Jewish pogroms and political riots in favour of the Anschluss. On 11 March, Schuschnigg resigned, and Seyss-Inquart invited the German Army to cross the border. The Anschluss was declared the following day.

Hitler held a plebiscite a month later, claiming a 99% vote in favour of the Anschluss and his rule. However, Austria's union with Germany was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919), created by the winners of World War I against both Germany and Austria.

After the fall of the Nazi regime, Austria claimed independence from Germany on 27 April 1945.

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