The Nazi Takeover Of Austria: How Did It Happen?

The Nazis' rise to power in Austria was a complex and protracted process. It involved a combination of economic stagnation, political dictatorship, intense Nazi propaganda, and military aggression. German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria on March 12, 1938, and established a Nazi government headed by Seyss-Inquart. This was preceded by a period of systematic agitation and financial, logistic, and material support from Germany to Nazi terrorists in Austria.

Nazi propaganda inside Austria

Hitler ordered troops to the Austrian border, prepared for a full-scale military assault into Austria to support the National Socialists. However, he was initially torn between going ahead with the invasion and pulling off the border, as he knew the German Army was not ready to take on the Austrian and Italian armies. In the end, he decided to invade, and German troops entered Austria on March 12, 1938, accompanied by Hitler himself. They received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. 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 entering Austria

German troops entered Austria on 12 March 1938. They were accompanied by Hitler himself, and received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. The Nazi government in Austria was headed by Seyss-Inquart, who collaborated with Hitler in proclaiming the Anschluss on 13 March.

Hitler had ordered troops to the Austrian border, prepared for a full-scale military assault into Austria to support the National Socialists. However, he was initially torn between going ahead with the invasion or pulling off the border, as he realised that the German Army was not prepared to take on both the Austrians and the Italian Army, which had sent troops to the Austrian border at Brenner to deter a possible German invasion.

The Austrian crisis had taken Hitler unaware, but he acted with energy and speed. Mussolini's neutrality was assured, there was a ministerial crisis in France, and the British government had made it known for some time that it would not oppose the union of Austria with Germany. On 11 March 1938, two demands were made for the postponement of the plebiscite and for the resignation of Schuschnigg. Schuschnigg gave way, and the German troops entered Austria.

The next day, Austria was incorporated into Germany. In April, this German annexation was retroactively approved in a plebiscite that was manipulated to indicate that about 99% of the Austrian people wanted the union with Germany. Neither Jews nor Roma were allowed to vote in the plebiscite.

The Austrian Nazi Party

After a period of economic stagnation, political dictatorship, and intense Nazi propaganda inside Austria, German troops entered the country on 12 March 1938. They were accompanied by Hitler himself and received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. A Nazi government in Austria was established, headed by Seyss-Inquart. Austria was incorporated into Germany the next day.

In April 1938, the German annexation was retroactively approved in a plebiscite that was manipulated to indicate that about 99% of the Austrian people wanted the union (known as the Anschluss) with Germany. Neither Jews nor Roma (Gypsies) were allowed to vote in the plebiscite.

Hitler had initially been torn between going ahead with an invasion of Austria or pulling off the border. He was concerned that the German Army was not prepared to take on both the Austrians and the Italian Army, which had sent troops to the Austrian border at Brenner.

Hitler's invasion plans

Hitler ordered troops to the Austrian border, prepared for a full-scale military assault into Austria to support the National Socialists. Fascist Italy was more closely tied to the regime in Vienna and sent troops to the Austrian border at Brenner to deter German troops from a possible invasion of Austria. Hitler was initially unsure whether to go ahead with the invasion, but eventually decided to pull his troops off the Austrian border.

On 12 March 1938, German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, entered Austria. They received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. Austria was incorporated into Germany the next day. In April, this German annexation was retroactively approved in a plebiscite that was manipulated to indicate that about 99% of the Austrian people wanted the union (known as the Anschluss) with Germany. Neither Jews nor Roma (Gypsies) were allowed to vote in the plebiscite.

The Austrian Nazi Party had been banned in June 1933 after a hand grenade attack in Krems. However, Nazi terrorists in Austria received financial, logistic and material support from Germany. The German government subjected Austria to systematic agitation. After the expulsion of the Bavarian Minister of Justice in May 1933, German citizens were required to pay a thousand marks to the German government before travelling to Austria.

Mussolini's neutrality

The Nazis entered Austria on 12 March 1938, with German troops accompanied by Hitler himself. This was after a prolonged period of economic stagnation, political dictatorship, and intense Nazi propaganda inside Austria. The Nazis also received financial, logistic and material support from Germany.

Frequently asked questions