The Nazi Annexation Of Austria: A Historical Overview

In 1934, a pro-Nazi group tried to overthrow the Austrian government with Hitler's approval and assistance from German officials. Four years later, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government by force and unite their nation with Nazi Germany. Hitler demanded that Austrian Chancellor Kurt von 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 gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11, 1938. German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria on March 12. A Nazi government in Austria, headed by Seyss-Inquart, was established.

Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government by force

In July 1934, a pro-Nazi group tried to overthrow the Austrian government. The coup was planned in Germany, with Hitler's approval and assistance from German officials.

Then, in early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired for the second time to seize the Austrian government by force and unite their nation with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, learning of the conspiracy, met with Hitler in the hopes of reasserting his country’s independence. However, he was bullied into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet.

Hitler demanded that von 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. On March 9, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, or “annexation,” once and for all. Before the plebiscite could take place, however, Schuschnigg gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned 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.

On March 11, 1938, two peremptory demands were made for the postponement of the plebiscite and for the resignation of Schuschnigg. Schuschnigg gave way, and German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria on March 12. A Nazi government in Austria, headed by Seyss-Inquart, was established.

Hitler demanded Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg appoint Nazis to his cabinet

In 1934, a pro-Nazi group tried to overthrow the Austrian government with Hitler's approval and assistance from German officials. Four years later, in 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired for the second time to seize the Austrian government by force and unite their nation with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, learning of the conspiracy, met with Hitler in the hopes of reasserting his country’s independence. However, Hitler bullied Schuschnigg into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. Hitler demanded that von 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 gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11, 1938.

On March 12, German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria. A Nazi government in Austria, headed by Seyss-Inquart, was established. Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, or “annexation,” but before the plebiscite could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned. In his resignation address, under coercion from the Nazis, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German “advance” into the country.

Hitler threatened to invade Austria if his demands were not met

In July 1934, a pro-Nazi group tried to overthrow the Austrian government with Hitler's approval and assistance from German officials. In 1935, Hitler claimed that Germany did not intend to interfere in Austrian affairs, annex Austria, or conclude an Anschluss. However, on February 12, 1938, Hitler changed course and demanded that Austrian Chancellor Kurt von 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.

Hitler's demands were not met, and on March 9, 1938, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, or "annexation," once and for all. Before the plebiscite could take place, Schuschnigg gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned 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. On March 11, two peremptory demands were made for the postponement of the plebiscite and for the resignation of Schuschnigg. Schuschnigg gave way, and German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria on March 12, 1938. A Nazi government in Austria, headed by Seyss-Inquart, was established, and it collaborated with Hitler in proclaiming the Anschluss on March 13.

German troops entered Austria on March 12, 1938

On March 9, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, or "annexation," but before the plebiscite could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned 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.

The entry of German troops into Austria marked the establishment of a Nazi government in the country, headed by Seyss-Inquart. This government collaborated with Hitler in proclaiming the Anschluss on March 13, 1938. France and Great Britain protested against Hitler's methods but accepted the union of Austria and Germany as a fait accompli. The United States followed a similar policy of appeasement, while the Soviet Union demanded that the West stop further German aggression and that the Anschluss be handled by the League of Nations.

A Nazi government in Austria was established, headed by Seyss-Inquart

In July 1934, a pro-Nazi group tried to overthrow the Austrian government. The coup was planned in Germany, with Hitler's approval and assistance from German officials.

In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired for the second time in four years to seize the Austrian government by force and unite their nation with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, learning of the conspiracy, met with Hitler in the hopes of reasserting his country’s independence but was instead bullied into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet.

Hitler demanded that von 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. On March 9, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, or “annexation,” once and for all. Before the plebiscite could take place, however, Schuschnigg gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned 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.

On March 11, 1938, two peremptory demands were made for the postponement of the plebiscite and for the resignation of Schuschnigg. Schuschnigg gave way, and German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria on March 12. A Nazi government in Austria was established, headed by Seyss-Inquart. It collaborated with Hitler in proclaiming the Anschluss on March 13. France and Great Britain protested against the methods used by Hitler but accepted the fait accompli. The United States followed the British and French policy of appeasement, and the Soviet Union demanded only that the West should stop further German aggression and that the Anschluss should be handled by the League of Nations.

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