Austria's Response To Anschluss: A Complex Reaction

The Anschluss, the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, was met with a mixed reaction from Austrians. Austrian socialists and left-wing circles reacted with disgust, prompting many to defect to the Revolutionary Socialists or KPÖ. There were also Catholic protests in Austria under the slogan 'Our Führer is Christ'. However, a controlled plebiscite held in April 1938 claimed that 99.7% of the votes cast in Austria were in favour of the Anschluss.

Austrian socialists' disgust at Renner's endorsement of Anschluss

Austrian socialists reacted with "disgust" to Karl Renner's endorsement of Anschluss, provoking a split in the SPÖ. Austrian left circles vehemently opposed Anschluss, and Renner's declaration prompted many to defect to the Revolutionary Socialists under Otto Bauer or the KPÖ.

Renner was the Chancellor of Austria and a member of the Social Democratic Party. He had been a prominent figure in the Austrian socialist movement since the late 19th century and had served as Chancellor during the First Republic. Despite his long history of opposition to Nazism, Renner endorsed the Anschluss in 1938, arguing that it was the only way to preserve Austria's independence and prevent a Nazi takeover.

The Austrian socialists were appalled by Renner's endorsement, seeing it as a betrayal of their values and principles. Many of them felt that Renner had abandoned the cause of democracy and freedom, and that he was legitimising the Nazi regime. They also feared that Renner's declaration would give the Nazis a pretext to crack down on the socialist movement in Austria.

As a result of Renner's endorsement, the SPÖ (Social Democratic Party of Austria) split, with many members defecting to the Revolutionary Socialists or the KPÖ (Communist Party of Austria). The Revolutionary Socialists, led by Otto Bauer, advocated for a more militant opposition to Nazism, while the KPÖ sought to build a united front against fascism.

The Anschluss transformed Austria. Almost overnight, the country of Austria ceased to exist, and Austrian and German Nazis carried out the Nazification of all aspects of Austrian life. The Nazis held a controlled plebiscite (Volksabstimmung) in the whole Reich within the following month, asking the people to ratify the fait accompli, and claimed that 99.7561% of the votes cast in Austria were in favour.

Catholic protests in Austria

The Anschluss was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. Almost overnight, the country of Austria ceased to exist. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, Austrian and German Nazis carried out the Nazification of all aspects of Austrian life.

The Anschluss sparked Catholic protests in Austria under the slogan 'Our Führer is Christ' (rather than Hitler). Austrian socialists also reacted with 'disgust' to Renner's endorsement of Anschluss, provoking a split in the SPÖ. Austrian left circles vehemently opposed Anschluss, and Renner's declaration prompted many to defect to Revolutionary Socialists under Otto Bauer or the KPÖ.

The Nazis held a controlled plebiscite in the whole Reich within the following month, asking the people to ratify the fait accompli, and claimed that 99.7561% of the votes cast in Austria were in favour. However, the Austrian historian Alfred D. Low states that in 1938, there was 'majority support to Austria's independence'. Indeed, the Nazis violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.

The other European powers did not punish the Nazis for violating international treaties. Their acceptance of the Anschluss was a significant act of appeasement. It allowed Adolf Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked.

The Nazi government in Austria

The Nazis' annexation of Austria violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. The Anschluss demonstrated Nazi disdain for the post-World War I European order. It was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany.

In the days, weeks, and months that followed, Austrian and German Nazis carried out the Nazification of all aspects of Austrian life. Austrian socialists reacted with "disgust" to the Anschluss, provoking a split in the SPÖ. Austrian left circles vehemently opposed Anschluss, and many defected to Revolutionary Socialists under Otto Bauer or the KPÖ. Catholic protests in Austria also took place under the slogan "Our Führer is Christ" (rather than Hitler).

The United States' policy of appeasement

The United States followed the British and French policy of appeasement after the Anschluss. The Anschluss was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany, and the other European powers did not punish the Nazis for violating international treaties. Their acceptance of the Anschluss was a significant act of appeasement. It allowed Adolf Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked.

The Anschluss transformed Austria. Almost overnight, the country of Austria ceased to exist. In the days, weeks, and months that followed, Austrian and German Nazis carried out the Nazification of all aspects of Austrian life.

The Nazis held a controlled plebiscite (Volksabstimmung) in the whole Reich within the following month, asking the people to ratify the fait accompli, and claimed that 99.7561% of the votes cast in Austria were in favour. Although the Allies were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and those of St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany, their reaction was only verbal and moderate. No military confrontation took place, and even the strongest voices against the annexation, particularly Fascist Italy, France, and Britain (the "Stresa Front") remained at peace.

Austrian socialists reacted with "disgust" to Renner's endorsement of Anschluss, provoking a split in the SPÖ. Austrian left circles vehemently opposed Anschluss, and Renner's declaration prompted many to defect to Revolutionary Socialists under Otto Bauer or the KPÖ. The relevance of Innitzer's endorsement is also disputed — he was reportedly "despised" by Austrian workers, and the Anschluss sparked Catholic protests in Austria under the slogan "Our Führer is Christ" (rather than Hitler).

The German invasion of Austria

On March 12, 1938, German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria. A Nazi government in Austria, headed by Arthur Seyss-Inquart, was established, and it collaborated with Hitler in proclaiming the Anschluss on March 13. The enthusiasm that followed gave Hitler the cover to annex Austria outright.

The Nazis held a controlled plebiscite (Volksabstimmung) in the whole Reich within the following month, asking the people to ratify the fait accompli. They claimed that 99.7561% of the votes cast in Austria were in favour. However, the relevance of the plebiscite is disputed. Austrian socialists reacted with "disgust" to the endorsement of Anschluss, and Austrian left circles vehemently opposed it. The Anschluss also sparked Catholic protests in Austria under the slogan "Our Führer is Christ" (rather than Hitler).

The other European powers did not punish the Nazis for violating international treaties. Their acceptance of the Anschluss was a significant act of appeasement, allowing Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked. The government of Mexico was the only one that did not accept the Anschluss, lodging a protest with the secretary-general of the League of Nations.

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