Austria-Hungary's Legacy: Hitler's Rise And Wealth

Hitler's annexation of Austria in 1938 was a key step in his expansionist agenda. Austria-Hungary, which had been dissolved after World War I, was effectively re-established as the 'German-speaking lands' within the new political borders set by Hitler. This included the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German-speaking population, which was annexed in September 1938. Hitler's desire to incorporate Austria into the German state was driven by his ideology of promoting a unified 'German' population. The annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland provided Hitler with valuable resources, including industrial centres, military bases, and access to the Sudetenland's coal and iron deposits.

Hitler's annexation of Austria in 1938

On 12 March 1938, Hitler accompanied German troops into Austria, where they were met by enthusiastic crowds. This was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into the German Reich, known as the Anschluss. The word 'Anschluss' is translated as 'joinder', 'connection', 'unification', or 'political union'. The use of this word was part of Nazi Germany's propaganda to create the impression that the union was not coerced. Hitler described the incorporation of Austria as a Heimkehr, a return to its original home.

The annexation was an important part of the Nazi 'Heim ins Reich' concept, which sought to incorporate as many Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans outside Germany) as possible into a 'Greater Germany'. The day after the annexation, Hitler appointed a new Nazi government in Austria. Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II, when the Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and reestablished an independent Austria.

The annexation was not met with armed resistance. Instead, German troops were greeted with cheers and flowers. However, a wave of street violence against Jewish people and property followed in Vienna and other cities throughout the so-called Greater German Reich during the spring, summer, and autumn of 1938. This culminated in the Kristallnacht riots and violence of 9-10 November.

The invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939

The Sudetenland, along with the rest of Czechoslovakia, was also home to valuable industrial centres, military bases, and natural resources such as coal and iron deposits. By invading Czechoslovakia, Hitler was able to gain access to these resources, strengthening his military and economic power.

The invasion of Czechoslovakia was not without opposition, however. The country had strong alliances with France and the Soviet Union, who had both pledged to come to its aid in the event of a German attack. Despite this, Hitler was able to negotiate the Munich Agreement in 1938, which allowed for the peaceful annexation of the Sudetenland.

The Munich Agreement was a significant victory for Hitler, as it not only gave him control of the Sudetenland but also weakened Czechoslovakia's defences. With the Sudetenland in German hands, the rest of Czechoslovakia was left vulnerable and was eventually occupied by German forces in March 1939.

The invasion of Czechoslovakia was a key step in Hitler's plan to establish a Greater Germany and expand his influence across Europe. By annexing Austria and the Sudetenland, and then invading the rest of Czechoslovakia, Hitler was able to gain valuable territory, resources, and strategic advantages that would serve his expansionist goals.

Austria-Hungary's dissolution after World War I

The question of how much territory or financial compensation Hitler received from Austria and Hungary is a complex one. While Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany in 1938, Hungary was not directly occupied or annexed by the Third Reich. Instead, Hungary's territorial integrity was maintained, but it did provide military support to Germany during the war. The annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland, along with the invasion of Czechoslovakia, were key steps in Hitler's expansionist agenda.

Hitler's annexation of Austria in 1938 and the subsequent invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1939 resulted in significant territorial gains for Nazi Germany. Austria-Hungary was effectively re-established as the 'German-speaking lands' within the new political borders set by Hitler. This included the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German-speaking population, which was annexed in September 1938. These acquisitions provided Hitler with valuable resources, including industrial centres, military bases, and access to the Sudetenland's coal and iron deposits. The Sudetenland was crucial as it allowed Germany to gain control over the region's extensive railway network, providing a strategic advantage for military operations and economic expansion.

The Sudetenland's coal and iron deposits

The Sudetenland was a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German-speaking population. It was annexed by Hitler in September 1938, along with Austria. This was a key step in Hitler's expansionist agenda and provided him with valuable resources, including industrial centres, military bases, and access to the Sudetenland's coal and iron deposits. The Sudetenland was particularly important as it allowed Germany to gain control of the region's extensive railway network, providing a strategic advantage for military operations and economic expansion.

Hitler's desire to incorporate Austria into the German state was driven by a combination of factors. Firstly, Austria had a significant German-speaking population, which aligned with Hitler's ideology of promoting a unified 'German' people. Secondly, the annexation of Austria and the Sudetenland provided Hitler with territorial gains and valuable resources. While the exact financial compensation Hitler received from Austria is complex and multifaceted, the annexation of these regions was a crucial step in his expansionist agenda.

Austria's German-speaking population

Austria, officially known as the Republic of Austria, had a significant German-speaking population. This aligned with Hitler's ideology of promoting a unified German state. In 1938, Hitler annexed Austria (Anschluss) and invaded Czechoslovakia the following year, resulting in significant territorial gains for Nazi Germany.

Austria-Hungary, which had been dissolved after World War I, was effectively re-established as the 'German-speaking lands' within the new political borders set by Hitler. This included the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a substantial German-speaking population, which was annexed in September 1938. The Sudetenland was particularly crucial as it allowed Germany to gain control of the region's extensive railway network, providing a strategic advantage for military operations and economic expansion.

Hitler's actions in this region had complex financial and economic implications. While Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, Hungary was not directly occupied or annexed. Instead, it maintained its territorial integrity but provided military support to Germany during the war. The specific agreements and treaties in place at the time would need to be examined to fully understand the financial and economic impact of these actions.

Frequently asked questions