Hitler's Austrian Bully: The Schuschnigg Story

Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg was bullied by Adolf Hitler into agreeing to give Austrian Nazis a free hand. Schuschnigg, who was opposed to Hitler's goal of absorbing Austria into the Third Reich, met with Hitler in February 1938 to discuss the tensions between the two countries. However, the meeting turned into a two-hour tirade by Hitler, who lambasted Schuschnigg and made a series of demands, including that Austria's foreign and military policies be coordinated with Germany's, and that Austrian Nazis imprisoned by the Austrian government be amnestied. Schuschnigg was coerced into agreeing to these demands and signing what became known as the Berchtesgaden Agreement.

Hitler's meeting with Schuschnigg at Berchtesgaden

On February 12, 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg met with Adolf Hitler at the Berghof residence in Obersalzberg near Berchtesgaden, Bavaria. The meeting was called to negotiate the German-Austrian question, but Hitler used the presence of several German generals to intimidate Schuschnigg and demand a series of concessions.

Hitler demanded that Austria's foreign and military policies be coordinated with Germany's. He also insisted that Austrian Nazis imprisoned by the Austrian government be amnestied and that Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a pro-Nazi leader, be placed in charge of policing and security matters. Schuschnigg was reluctant to agree to these demands, but he was backed into a corner. Austria could not count on practical assistance from the democratic powers of Europe in the event of German belligerence, and Italian intentions were unclear. Schuschnigg was also shaken by Hitler's aggressive behaviour during the meeting, which included continuous threats of an immediate invasion of German troops.

Fearing that a German invasion was inevitable, Schuschnigg felt he had no choice but to give in to Hitler's demands. He signed the agreement, known as the Berchtesgaden Agreement, which undermined Austrian sovereignty and independence. The agreement also granted Hitler control of Austria's police forces, giving the Austrian Nazis full and unlimited power in the country.

Upon returning to Vienna, Schuschnigg reorganised his cabinet and included representatives of former political parties, some of which had been banned. He also called for a nationwide plebiscite on March 13 to demonstrate Austrian resolve against German coercion. However, Hitler was infuriated by the plebiscite and struck on March 11, insisting that it be cancelled. With German troops mobilising along the border, Schuschnigg had no choice but to acquiesce.

The Berchtesgaden Agreement

On February 12, 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg met with Adolf Hitler in Berchtesgaden, Germany. Schuschnigg, who had ruled Austria as a dictator since 1934, wanted to discuss worsening tensions between the two countries. Hitler, however, was ready to take full control of Austria and presented Schuschnigg with a series of demands: Austria's foreign and military policies were to be coordinated with Germany's; Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart was to be placed in charge of policing and security matters; and Austrian Nazis imprisoned by the Austrian government were to be amnestied. Hitler used the presence of several German generals to intimidate Schuschnigg, who eventually gave in and signed what became known as the Berchtesgaden Agreement.

Faced with the threat of a German military invasion, Schuschnigg and Miklas gave in to Hitler's demands. That evening, Austrian radio announced the cancellation of the plebiscite and Schuschnigg's resignation. He instructed Austrians and the Austrian military not to resist German troops if they invaded. Within minutes of Schuschnigg's resignation, swastika armbands and flags appeared on the streets, and Austrian Nazis seized power. On March 12, German troops crossed the border and were greeted with cheers and flowers. The next day, Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany.

Hitler's threats of violence

Hitler's tactics included diplomatic isolation, economic sanctions, and military threats. He also exploited Austria's internal divisions and the presence of pro-Nazi agitators within the country.

On February 12, 1938, Schuschnigg met with Hitler at his mountaintop retreat in Berchtesgaden. The meeting was arranged by Franz von Papen, the former ambassador to Austria. Schuschnigg was greeted by Hitler and three German generals: Wilhelm Keitel, Walter von Reichenau, and Hugo Sperrle. During the meeting, Hitler lambasted Schuschnigg, accusing him of avoiding a friendly policy with Germany. He also claimed that Austria was isolated and could not halt a Nazi invasion.

Hitler's demands included the release of all Nazis imprisoned in Austria, the lifting of the ban on the Austrian Nazi Party, and the appointment of Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a staunch Nazi supporter, as the new Minister of the Interior with full control of the police. Hitler threatened to invade Austria if his demands were not met within three days.

Schuschnigg initially resisted, but he eventually gave in to Hitler's threats. He agreed to Hitler's demands and returned to Austria to get the agreement ratified by President Wilhelm Miklas. However, Miklas refused to accept all of the demands, particularly handing over control of the police to Seyss-Inquart.

Hitler then ordered General Keitel to conduct military maneuvers near the Austrian border to create the appearance of an imminent invasion. This bluff worked, and President Miklas eventually caved in to Hitler's demands.

In addition to these direct threats, Hitler also exploited Austria's internal divisions. The country was torn apart by pro-Nazi agitators, and the Austrian Nazi Party had a significant presence in the country. Hitler also knew that civilized men like Schuschnigg would compromise to prevent bloodshed.

Hitler's economic policies also contributed to the pressure on Austria. He imposed economic sanctions, such as the "1,000 Mark Sperre," which crippled Austria's tourism industry. The Nazi boycott of Austrian goods further damaged the country's economy.

Schuschnigg's resignation

Kurt Schuschnigg was the Chancellor of Austria from 1934 until his resignation in 1938. Schuschnigg was an Austrian politician who considered Austria a "German state" and Austrians to be Germans, but he was strongly opposed to Hitler's goal of absorbing Austria into the Third Reich. He wished for Austria to remain independent.

In February 1938, Schuschnigg met with Hitler in his Berghof residence to discuss worsening relations between the two countries. Hitler presented Schuschnigg with a set of demands, including that Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart be placed in charge of policing and security matters, and that imprisoned Austrian Nazis be amnestied. Schuschnigg was coerced into signing the agreement, known as the Berchtesgaden Agreement, which undermined Austrian sovereignty and independence.

In an attempt to reassert Austrian independence, Schuschnigg called for a plebiscite (referendum) to be held on March 13, 1938. However, Hitler was infuriated by this and gave the Austrian government a series of ultimatums: the plebiscite must be cancelled, Schuschnigg must resign, and Austrian President Wilhelm Miklas must appoint Seyss-Inquart as the new chancellor.

Faced with the threat of armed intervention, Schuschnigg resigned on March 11, 1938. In his resignation speech, he instructed Austrians and the Austrian military not to resist German troops if they invaded. Despite Schuschnigg's resignation and the cancellation of the plebiscite, German troops invaded Austria on March 12 and were received with enthusiasm by the Austrian people. On March 13, Seyss-Inquart signed the law formalizing the reunification of Austria with Germany, marking the end of Austrian independence.

The German invasion of Austria

In the 1920s, the proposal for a united Austria and Germany had strong support in both countries, particularly from Austrian citizens of the political left and center. However, support for unification faded over time. After Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, the desire for unification became associated with the Nazis, for whom it was an integral part of their ideology.

In early 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced that there would be a referendum on a possible union with Germany, to be held on 13 March. Hitler threatened an invasion and pressured Schuschnigg to resign. On 11 March, the day before the planned referendum, the German Army crossed the border into Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military.

On 12 March, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. They were greeted by enthusiastic crowds and met no resistance. Hitler himself accompanied the troops, visiting his birthplace at Braunau am Inn and then traveling on to Linz and Vienna.

On 13 March, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed. Austria became a province of the German Reich, and Hitler shed tears of joy when presented with the document. A plebiscite held on 10 April, in which the ballot was not secret and voters were subject to threats and coercion, resulted in 99.7% approval for the union.

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