Global Reactions To Germany's Annexation Of Austria

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by the Nazi regime. 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. The loudest verbal protest was voiced by the government of Mexico, while Britain and France also condemned the action, but no military confrontation took place. The annexation was widely popular in both Germany and Austria, with large sections of the Austrian population welcoming the German troops and police.

The Allies' verbal reaction

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. The loudest verbal protest was voiced by the government of Mexico.

Hitler's action brought condemnation from Britain and France, but neither nation intervened. After a prolonged period of intense propaganda inside Austria, German troops entered the country on 12 March 1938, receiving the enthusiastic support of most of the population. The Anschluss was the Nazi German regime’s first act of territorial aggression and expansion.

The Stresa Front's peaceful response

The Stresa Front, which included Fascist Italy, France, and Britain, responded to Germany's annexation of Austria with only verbal condemnation. There was no military confrontation, and the Allies remained at peace. The strongest verbal protest came from the government of Mexico. The Allies were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany. However, they did not take any concrete action to prevent or reverse the annexation.

The Stresa Front's response can be characterised as peaceful, in that they did not resort to military action. However, it is important to note that their verbal condemnation was a form of protest against Germany's actions. The Front's inaction may have been due to a desire to avoid conflict or a recognition of the popularity of the annexation in both Germany and Austria. Additionally, Germany's gains in iron ore mines and central bank reserves may have influenced the Allies' decision to maintain peace.

Mexico's loud protest

The Allies were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany. However, their reaction was only verbal and moderate. There was no military confrontation, and even the strongest voices against the annexation, such as Fascist Italy, France, and Britain (the "Stresa Front"), remained at peace.

Mexico voiced the loudest verbal protest against Germany's annexation of Austria. The Mexican government's protest was the loudest of all the verbal protests.

Britain and France's condemnation

The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, was widely popular in both countries. However, the act was condemned by Britain and France, who were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany. Despite this, neither nation intervened, and no military confrontation took place. The strongest verbal protest came from Fascist Italy, France, and Britain (the "Stresa Front"), who remained at peace. The loudest verbal protest was voiced by the government of Mexico.

The German annexation of Austria was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by the Nazi German regime. It was the result of an aggressive foreign policy pursued by Nazi Germany throughout the 1930s, which eventually culminated in World War II. The annexation brought millions of Jewish people under German control and resulted in an outburst of public violence against Austria's Jewish population.

The German troops entered Austria on March 12, 1938, after a prolonged period of intense propaganda inside the country. About 25,000 heavily armed German troops and police crossed the Austrian frontier, receiving the enthusiastic support of most of the population. Supporters of the Austrian Nazi Party, together with members of the SS and SA, occupied public buildings and offices throughout Austria without a previously planned transition period.

The formation of the Greater German Reich was announced from the balcony of the Council House in Linz. This event marked the union of Austria and Germany, which had been a topic of discussion and debate since the 19th century. However, the peace treaties that ended World War I expressly forbade this union, as European leaders worried that a united Germany and Austria would be too large and powerful.

The public's violent reaction

The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938, known as the Anschluss, was met with an outburst of public violence against Austria's Jewish population. This was the Nazi German regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion, and it was widely popular in both Germany and Austria. 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. The loudest verbal protest was voiced by the government of Mexico.

The annexation was preceded by a prolonged period of intense propaganda inside Austria, and German troops received the enthusiastic support of most of the population when they entered the country on 12 March 1938. Supporters of the Austrian Nazi Party, together with members of the SS and SA, occupied public buildings and offices throughout Austria without a previously planned transition period. The formation of the Greater German Reich was announced from the balcony of the Council House in Linz.

Frequently asked questions