The Fateful Day: Germans Annex Austria

On March 12, 1938, German troops invaded Austria, annexing the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This event is known as the Anschluss, which is German for connection or joining. The annexation of Austria was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.

The Anschluss

In the 1920s and 30s, the idea of the Anschluss gained support in both Austria and Germany, particularly from Austrian citizens of the political left and centre. However, by the time Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, the desire for unification could be identified with the Nazis, for whom it was an integral part of their "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept.

Hitler's plans for Austria were clear from his earliest writings and speeches. The first point of the Nazi Party Platform (1920) stated: "We demand the union of all Germans in a Greater Germany (Großdeutschland) on the basis of the right of national self-determination."

Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 meant that he was now in a position to bring about an Austro-German union. However, Germany was not yet militarily and diplomatically ready to carry out Hitler's foreign policy goals. Hitler and other Nazi leaders focused on establishing a Nazi dictatorship, but behind the scenes, they began planning territorial expansion and a European war.

Hitler intended to gain power in Austria through the Austrian Nazi Party, but the party was initially weak, divided, and ineffective. By 1931, however, the bulk of Austrian Nazis recognised Hitler as their leader, and he appointed a German Nazi to bring the Austrian party in line. Austrian Nazis gained supporters as Hitler's popularity in Germany increased, particularly after he was appointed chancellor in 1933.

In 1934, Austrian Nazis attempted a coup, during which Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated. The coup failed, but it prompted many leading Austrian Nazis to go into exile in Germany, where they continued their efforts to unify the two countries.

In early 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced that there would be a referendum on a possible union with Germany, to be held on March 13. Hitler threatened an invasion and pressured Schuschnigg to resign. On March 11, the day before the planned referendum, the German army crossed the border into Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military. A plebiscite was held on April 10, in which 99.7% of voters approved the Anschluss. However, the ballot was not secret, and threats and coercion were used to manipulate the vote. It is estimated that about 70% of Austrians would have voted to preserve Austrian independence.

Treaty violations

The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial aggression committed by Nazi Germany. It was also the first step in Hitler's plan to take over Europe. The annexation was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.

The idea of a union between the two countries was not new. It dated back to the 19th century and gained support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. However, the Treaty of Saint-Germain and the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, not only forbade the union but also stripped Austria of some of its territories, such as the Sudetenland.

Despite the treaties, sentiment in both Austria and Germany favoured the union. In the 1920s, many Austrians did not believe their country could survive economically without the lands previously held by Austria-Hungary. Some wanted to restore the empire, while others wanted to unite with Germany.

In the early 1930s, the Austrian government looked to a possible customs union with Germany. However, this was opposed by France, which stated that it was in violation of Article 88 of the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

By 1937, Germany's interest in annexing Austria increased due to its rich resources of raw materials and labour. Hitler, who was born in Austria, had expressed his desire for a union between the two countries in his earliest writings and speeches. He wrote in Mein Kampf (1925) that he would create a union between his birth country, Austria, and Germany by any means possible.

In early 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced there would be a referendum on a possible union with Germany, to be held on March 13. However, under pressure from Hitler, Schuschnigg resigned on March 11 and pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German invasion. On March 12, German troops crossed the border into Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military.

The annexation of Austria demonstrated Hitler's aggressive territorial ambitions and the failure of Britain and France to take action against him for violating the Versailles Treaty. It also allowed Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked.

Hitler's involvement

On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the country for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the culmination of years of Nazi Germany's aggressive foreign policy and expansionist goals. At the forefront of these ambitions was Adolf Hitler, whose involvement in the annexation of Austria was significant and deeply personal.

Hitler, an Austrian himself, had expressed his desire for a union between Austria and Germany as early as 1925 in his book, "Mein Kampf." In it, he wrote about his country of birth: "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland... Common blood belongs in a common Reich." This desire for unification was not new, as discussions about Austria's role in a German nation-state dated back to the 19th century. However, Hitler's nationalism and ambition to create a Greater Germany made him a fervent supporter of the idea.

However, in early 1938, Austrian Nazis, with Hitler's support, conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany. This prompted Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg to meet with Hitler, hoping to reassert his country's independence. Instead, Hitler bullied Schuschnigg into appointing members of Austria's Nazi Party to his cabinet and giving them full political rights. When Schuschnigg called for a national plebiscite to decide Austria's future, Hitler decided to invade immediately to prevent the vote.

On March 11, 1938, Hitler issued an ultimatum to Schuschnigg, demanding his resignation and the appointment of a pro-Nazi Austrian chancellor. Faced with the threat of invasion, Schuschnigg cancelled the plebiscite and resigned. The next day, German troops crossed the border into Austria, encountering no resistance. Hitler himself rode in a car across the border at his birthplace, Braunau am Inn, and was greeted by enthusiastic crowds along the way to Vienna.

On March 13, 1938, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed, and Austria ceased to exist as an independent nation. It became a province of Germany, and its parliament formally approved the annexation. Hitler's involvement in the annexation of Austria was a significant step in his expansionist agenda and a clear demonstration of his aggressive territorial ambitions.

Public reaction

Austria

The Austrian public's reaction to the Anschluss was mixed. While many Austrians were in favour of the union, others opposed it. The idea of a united Austria and Germany, or "Greater Germany", gained support after the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell in 1918. By the 1920s, the proposal had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and centre. However, over time, popular support for unification faded.

In the lead-up to the annexation, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg faced increasing pressure from pro-unification activists. He initially tried to assert Austria's independence by meeting with Hitler and calling for a referendum on the issue. However, he eventually succumbed to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11, 1938, urging Austrian forces not to resist a German invasion.

On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, where they were greeted by cheering crowds. Hitler's journey through Austria became a triumphal tour, with hundreds of thousands of Austrians gathering to meet him. However, it is important to note that the Austrian population was subjected to extensive intimidation and suppression of political opposition, and the true extent of public support for the Anschluss is difficult to determine.

United States

The United States, which was facing various domestic problems at the time, officially objected to the Anschluss. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, despite facing opposition from isolationists, took steps to criticise Germany's aggressive expansionism and shape American foreign policy to respond more forcefully to Hitler's actions. Roosevelt established an international organisation to assist Austrian refugees and his administration worked to pass a naval rearmament program.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, the British population was generally against the idea of another European war. As both Austria and Germany were German-speaking nations, many in Britain saw no reason why the two countries shouldn't unify. However, anti-appeasers like Winston Churchill were alarmed by Germany's use of force and believed that Hitler should have pursued negotiation and diplomacy instead.

France

France was also going through political turmoil at the time, with its entire government resigning just two days before the German invasion of Austria. As a result, France was not in a position to oppose the invasion.

International response

The international response to Germany's annexation of Austria was publicly moderate. The strongest verbal protest came from the Mexican government, which denounced the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, noted that the British ambassador in Berlin objected to the use of "coercion, backed by force" that would undermine Austria's independence. Chamberlain also said that nothing could have stopped the annexation unless the country and other nations were prepared to use force.

The French sought to prevent an Anschluss by incorporating Austria into a Danubian Confederation in 1927, but this was opposed by German Minister of Foreign Affairs Gustav Stresemann, who saw it as an attempt to re-form the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

The annexation of Austria was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion committed by Nazi Germany. It was a significant breach of the post-World War I international order, and the international community's acceptance of the annexation was a significant act of appeasement. It allowed Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked.

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