Austria's Response To Hitler's Annexation: A Historical Perspective

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion committed by the Nazis. It was also a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. Hitler had long been interested in annexing Austria, his country of birth, and had written about it in his 1925 book Mein Kampf. In 1936, a 'gentlemen's agreement' was concluded between Germany and Austria, which was used by the German government to apply pressure on the Austrian government in Vienna. On February 12, 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg was bullied into accepting Hitler's demands during an interview at Berchtesgaden. The next day, Austria's parliament formally approved the annexation.

Hitler's annexation of Austria violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain

Hitler's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain. These treaties expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. The annexation was Hitler's first objective after rising to power in the Weimar Republic. He wrote about his intentions in his 1925 book, *Mein Kampf*: "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort."

Hitler's annexation of Austria was an act of open aggression. He accompanied his troops as they rushed towards Vienna, and then called for an immediate Anschluss. The next day, Austria's parliament formally approved the annexation. Austria ceased to exist as a nation and became a province of Germany.

Hitler sought to preserve the facade of legality while applying political pressure under the threat of force. On 12 February 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg was bullied into accepting far-reaching demands during an interview with Hitler at Berchtesgaden. A plebiscite held on 10 April 1938 asked Austrians whether they supported the Anschluss; 99.75% of voters said that they supported Germany's annexation of Austria into the Third Reich.

Austria's parliament formally approved the annexation

Austria’s parliament formally approved the annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, the day after Hitler called for it. Austria ceased to exist as a nation and became a province of Germany.

Hitler had long planned to annex Austria, his country of birth. In his 1925 book *Mein Kampf*, he wrote: "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort. No, no: even if from the economic point of view this union were unimportant, indeed, if it were harmful, it ought nevertheless to be brought about."

Hitler's first objective was the annexation of Austria. In 1934, he attempted a putsch, but this was unsuccessful. In 1936, a so-called gentlemen's agreement was concluded between Germany and Austria, which was used by the German government to pressure the Austrian chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg. On 12 February 1938, Schuschnigg was bullied into accepting far-reaching demands during an interview with Hitler.

The annexation of Austria 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 these international treaties, which was a significant act of appeasement.

Austria's chancellor was bullied into accepting Hitler's demands

On 12 February 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg was bullied into accepting far-reaching demands during an interview with Hitler at Berchtesgaden. The annexation of Austria was Hitler's first objective, and he had long been interested in the unification of Austria and Germany, his country of birth.

Hitler's first attempt to annex Austria was the unsuccessful putsch of 1934, after which he had to proceed more carefully. However, closer cooperation with Mussolini, who had previously opposed an Anschluss, opened up new possibilities. On 11 July 1936, a so-called gentlemen's agreement was concluded between Germany and Austria, which was used by the German government to apply pressure on Schuschnigg's government in Vienna. Hitler wanted to preserve the facade of legality while applying political pressure under the threat of force.

Hitler's 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, and the other European powers' acceptance of the annexation allowed Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked.

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. On 10 April 1938, Austrians were asked whether they supported the 13 March Anschluss. 99.75% of voters said that they supported Germany's annexation of Austria into the Third Reich.

Austria was rich in raw materials and labour, which was of interest to Germany

> German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort. No, no: even if from the economic point of view this union were unimportant, indeed, if it were harmful, it ought nevertheless to be brought about.

Hitler's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. Austria was a source of magnesium and the products of the iron, textile and machine industries. It also had gold and foreign currency reserves, many unemployed skilled workers, hundreds of idle factories, and large potential hydroelectric resources.

Hitler's troops rushed towards Vienna, and he accompanied them to 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.

The annexation was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany

The annexation of Austria was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. In his 1925 book *Mein Kampf*, Hitler wrote about his country of birth: 'German-Austria must return to the great German motherland'. Austria was rich in raw materials and labour, and supplied Germany with magnesium and the products of the iron, textile and machine industries. It also had gold and foreign currency reserves, many unemployed skilled workers, hundreds of idle factories, and large potential hydroelectric resources.

Hitler's first objective was the annexation of Austria. After the unsuccessful putsch of 1934, Hitler had to proceed carefully, but closer cooperation with Mussolini, who had hitherto been the most determined opponent of an Anschluss, opened up new possibilities. On 11 July 1936, a so-called gentlemen's agreement was concluded between Germany and Austria, which was used by the German government as a means of exercising pressure on Kurt von Schuschnigg's government in Vienna. Hitler sought to preserve the facade of legality while applying political pressure under the threat, but without the overt use, of force. On 12 February 1938, Schuschnigg, the Austrian chancellor, was bullied into accepting far-reaching demands during an interview with Hitler at Berchtesgaden.

As Hitler's troops rushed towards Vienna, he decided to accompany them to 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 10 April 1938, Austrians were asked whether they supported the 13 March Anschluss. 99.75% of voters said that they supported Germany's annexation of Austria into the Third Reich.

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