Lyla Lindsey
The political union of Germany and Austria, known as the Anschluss, was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938. The idea of the Anschluss, which translates to joining or connection, first arose after the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. While there was considerable support for the union in both countries, it was prohibited by the Versailles and St. Germain treaties. Despite this, in March 1938, Berlin forcibly united the two countries under the Nazi regime, which remained in place until 1945.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of union | 12 March 1938 |
| Type of union | Annexation of Austria into Germany |
| German name | Anschluss |
| German meaning | "Joining" or "connection" |
| English meaning | "Annexation" |
| Annexed by | Adolf Hitler |
| Annexed from | Austria |
| Annexed into | Nazi Germany |
| Previous union attempt | 1931 customs union |
| Previous union attempt outcome | Blocked by France |
| Previous union attempt date | 19 March 1931 |
| Previous union attempt type | Protocol signed in Vienna |
| Previous union attempt purpose | "To enter into negotiations for a treaty to assimilate the tariff and economic policies of their respective countries" |
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What You'll Learn
The Anschluss
The annexation of Austria was a goal of the Nazis, and Adolf Hitler expressed his desire for a union in his earliest writings and speeches. In January 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, and as chancellor, he intended to bring about an Austro-German union. Austrian Nazis gained supporters in 1931-1932 as Hitler's popularity in Germany increased, and this was even more noticeable across Austria after he became chancellor. In 1934, Austrian Nazis attempted a coup d'etat and killed Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, but the coup failed.
In February 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg travelled to meet with Hitler, expecting to discuss the tensions between the two nations. However, Hitler was ready to take full control of Austria and presented a series of demands, including that Austria's foreign and military policies were to be coordinated with Germany's, and that Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart was to be placed in charge of policing and security matters. Schuschnigg was pressured to cancel a plebiscite on Austrian independence and resign. On 12 March, Germany invaded, and the next day, Hitler annexed Austria outright. A controlled plebiscite held on 10 April gave a 99.7% approval.
The word "Anschluss" means "joining" or "connection" in German, and it was used to describe the union of Austria and Germany before 1938. The use of this word was also part of the propaganda used by Nazi Germany in 1938 to create the impression that the union was not coerced.
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Austria-Hungary Empire
The Austria-Hungary Empire, also known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Dual Monarchy, or the Habsburg Monarchy, was a political union of two sovereign states: the Empire of Austria and the Kingdom of Hungary. It existed from 1867 to 1918 and was led by a single monarch who held the titles of Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary.
The formation of the Austria-Hungary Empire was the result of the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, which was negotiated after the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. This war led to the dissolution of the German Confederation and the exclusion of Austria from German affairs, prompting Emperor Franz Joseph to reorient his policies towards the east and consolidate his heterogeneous empire.
The Compromise of 1867 created a dual monarchy, with the Austrian emperor now also becoming the King of Hungary. While these were the same person, Hungary was granted its own parliament and considerable autonomy. The two countries conducted unified diplomatic and defence policies, with common ministries of foreign affairs, defence, and finance under the monarch's direct authority.
The Austria-Hungary Empire was a multinational constitutional monarchy and one of Europe's major powers. It was the second-largest country in Europe geographically and the third most populous, after Russia and the German Empire. The Empire also boasted the fourth-largest machine-building industry in the world.
However, the monarchy maintained a precarious balance among its many minorities, and this balance was upset in 1914 with the assassination of the Austro-Hungarian heir, Francis Ferdinand, by a Serbian nationalist. This event precipitated World War I, and with its defeat in the war and revolutions by its minorities, the Austria-Hungary Empire collapsed in 1918.
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Nazi Germany's annexation
The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, and the next day, Adolf Hitler accompanied them into the country, where they were met with enthusiastic crowds. This event was the culmination of a long-held desire by many in Austria and Germany for the unification of the two countries, which dated back to at least 1919.
The idea of Austria joining Germany grew in popularity in the 1930s, partly due to Nazi propaganda campaigns and the economic turmoil caused by the Great Depression. Austrian Nazis attempted a coup in 1934, killing Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss, but it was foiled. In 1936, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg attempted to maintain Austrian independence by suppressing Nazi supporters using police force. However, by 1937, rapid German rearmament increased Berlin's interest in annexing Austria, which was rich in raw materials and labour.
In February 1938, Hitler invited Schuschnigg to Germany and forced him to agree to give Austrian Nazis a free hand. Schuschnigg called a plebiscite (referendum) on Austrian independence, scheduled for March 13, 1938. However, he was pressured into cancelling the vote and resigned. On March 12, Germany invaded, and Hitler annexed Austria outright on March 13, appointing a new Nazi government. A controlled plebiscite held on April 10 gave a 99.7% approval.
The annexation of Austria transformed the country almost overnight. Austrian and German Nazis collaborated to nazify all aspects of Austrian life, and many Austrians participated enthusiastically. The annexation also resulted in an outburst of public violence against Austria's Jewish population. The Anschluss was the first act of territorial aggression by Nazi Germany, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
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Austrian State Treaty
The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 granted Austria full independence from the Allied forces that had been occupying the country since the end of World War II. The Allies had agreed in the 1943 Declaration of Moscow that Austria would be treated as the first victim of Nazi aggression, despite its role in Nazi crimes, and would be liberated and recognised as an independent country after the war. This occupation began on 27 April 1945, with Austria divided into four zones, each occupied by the UK, the Soviet Union, the US, and France. Vienna was also subdivided, with the central district collectively administered by the Allied Control Council.
The Austrian State Treaty was the result of negotiations with the Soviet foreign minister, Molotov, which secured a breakthrough in February 1955. Austria promised perpetual neutrality, and the last occupation troops left on 25 October 1955. The treaty expressly detailed the general regulations and recognition of the Austrian state, as well as the minority rights of the Slovene and Croat minorities. Austrian neutrality was not originally included in the text of the treaty but was later declared by parliament on 26 October 1955, after the last Allied troops had left. This date became a national holiday, known as the Day of the Flag until 1965.
The Austrian State Treaty forbids a political union of Germany and Austria and requires Austria's neutrality. This is in contrast to the period of 1938 to 1945, when Austria was annexed into Germany under the Nazi regime, known as the Anschluss. This union was prohibited by the Versailles and St. Germain treaties but was achieved by Adolf Hitler, who forced Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg to agree to give the Austrian Nazis a free hand. A plebiscite on the Anschluss was cancelled, and on 12 March 1938, Germany invaded, with a controlled plebiscite on 10 April giving a 99.7% approval rating.
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Austria's neutrality
The concept of Austrian neutrality has evolved from a necessity during the Cold War to a deeply ingrained element of the country's self-image. This stance has, however, come under scrutiny in recent years, especially after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Critics argue that Austria's self-serving neutrality has made the country overly dependent on Russia, with 95% of its gas consumption still coming from Russia as of 2024. There are also concerns that Austria's neutrality could hinder a unified European response to Russia's actions.
Despite these criticisms, support for continued military non-alignment remains strong among Austrians. An opinion poll from March 2022 found that 76% of Austrians favoured neutrality, while only 18% supported joining NATO. Additionally, only the minor liberal NEOS party has officially advocated for changing the constitution to allow NATO membership.
In summary, Austria's neutrality, established in 1955, has become an integral part of the country's identity. While this stance has faced challenges, particularly in light of recent geopolitical events, it continues to be supported by the majority of Austrians and shapes the country's foreign policy and international relations.
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Frequently asked questions
The political union of Germany and Austria is called the Anschluss, which translates to "joining", "connection", "unification", or "political union".
The political union of Germany and Austria occurred on March 12, 1938, when Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany.
The idea of uniting Germany and Austria gained support after the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell in 1918. The Austrian government looked to a possible customs union with Germany in 1931, and negotiations were finalized on March 5, 1931, before being approved by Germany on March 18, 1931. However, regional patriotism and other factors prevented the union from being realized until 1938.
