Damon Mcknight
On March 12, 1938, German troops entered Austria, annexing the country for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion committed by Nazi Germany. The incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany was the result of a conspiracy by Austrian Nazis to seize the Austrian government and unite with Germany. The idea of Anschluss, or union, gained support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 and was advocated for by Hitler in his autobiography, Mein Kampf. Hitler's reasoning for the annexation was based on his belief in the unification of all Germans in a Greater Germany, with Austria returning to the German motherland.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hitler's vision for the future relationship between Austria and Germany | "The reunification [of Germany and Austria] is a life task to be carried out by all means! German-Austria must be restored to the great German Motherland…People of the same blood should be in the same REICH." |
| Hitler's intention as chancellor | To bring about an Austro-German union |
| Hitler's first objective | The annexation of Austria |
| Violation of treaties | By annexing Austria, the Nazis violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. |
| Austrian support | 99.75% of Austrian voters supported a union with Germany |
| Reasons for Austrian support | 1. Initial enthusiasm was both genuine and spontaneous. 2. Profound relief that bloodshed had been avoided. 3. Hope for dramatic improvement in material conditions of everyday life. 4. Chance to put an end to the so-called "Jewish Question". |
| Hitler's view of Austria | "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort." |
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What You'll Learn
Hitler wanted to unite all Germans in a Greater Germany
The unification of Austria and Germany, known as the Anschluss, was a significant step in Hitler's vision of creating a Greater Germany that included all ethnic Germans and the territories lost by the German Empire after World War I. This idea of a Greater Germany was not new, as it emerged after the 1871 unification of Germany, which notably excluded Austria and German Austrians from the German Empire.
Hitler's desire to unite all Germans under a single Reich was deeply rooted in his ideology. In his book "Mein Kampf", published in 1925, Hitler wrote about his country of birth, expressing that German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, transcending economic considerations. He believed that people of the same blood should belong to the same Reich, and this notion was reiterated in the Nazi Party Platform of 1920, which stated, "We demand the unification of all Germans in the Greater Germany on the basis of the people's right to self-determination."
Hitler's appointment as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 further fueled his intentions for an Austro-German union. However, Germany was not yet militarily and diplomatically prepared to fulfill Hitler's foreign policy ambitions. Despite this, the Nazi leadership began planning for territorial expansion and a European war. Hitler aimed to exert influence in Austria through the Austrian Nazi Party, and in 1934, a pro-Nazi group attempted to overthrow the Austrian government.
In 1938, Hitler acted on his long-standing promise to expand national boundaries and incorporate ethnic Germans. He collaborated with Austrian Nazis to orchestrate the annexation of Austria, encountering little resistance from Austrian forces. German troops were greeted with enthusiasm, and the Austrian chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg, was coerced into accepting Hitler's demands and resigning. On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, and the annexation was proclaimed the following day. A plebiscite held on April 10, 1938, revealed that 99.75% of Austrian voters supported the union with Germany.
The unification of Austria and Germany was a crucial step in Hitler's grand scheme of establishing a Greater Germany. By annexing Austria, Hitler disregarded international treaties and signaled his expansionist agenda, which would ultimately lead to the outbreak of World War II.
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Austria was Hitler's country of birth
Hitler's worldview revolved around two concepts: territorial expansion and racial supremacy. In his earliest writings and speeches, he expressed his desire for an Austro-German union. In his 1925 book, Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote:
> German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort. No, no: even if from the economic point of view this union were unimportant, indeed, if it were harmful, it ought nevertheless to be brought about. Common blood belongs in a common Reich.
Hitler's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. It violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. The Anschluss transformed Austria almost overnight, as Austrian and German Nazis worked to nazify all aspects of Austrian life. Many Austrians participated enthusiastically in this endeavour, and 99.75% of voters supported a union with Germany.
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The unification was part of Hitler's expansionary policies
The unification of Austria and Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was part of Hitler's expansionary policies. The incorporation of Austria into the German Reich was a significant step towards Hitler's vision of creating a Greater German Reich that included all ethnic Germans and the territories lost by the German Empire after World War I.
Hitler's intentions for the unification of Austria and Germany were made clear in his autobiography and political treatise, Mein Kampf, where he wrote, "the reunification [of Germany and Austria] is a life task to be carried out by all means! German-Austria must be restored to the great German Motherland... People of the same blood should be in the same REICH." This desire for an Austro-German union was also expressed in his earliest speeches and the Nazi Party Platform of 1920, which stated, "We demand the unification of all Germans in a Greater Germany (Großdeutschland) on the basis of the right of national self-determination."
Hitler's expansionary policies were driven by his belief in the superiority of the Aryan race and his desire to make Germany a world power once again. As chancellor of Germany, Hitler aimed to implement his foreign policy goals and pursue territorial expansion. The annexation of Austria was a crucial step in this process, as it violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of the two countries. By successfully annexing Austria, Hitler was able to continue his expansionary policies unchecked, as the other European powers failed to intervene.
Hitler's unification of Austria and Germany was met with support from Austrians, with 99.75% of voters approving the annexation in a plebiscite held on April 10, 1938. This support can be attributed to several factors, including the avoidance of bloodshed, the expectation of economic improvements, and the endorsement of antisemitic policies. The unification allowed for the rapid Nazification of Austria, with Austrian Nazis and their accomplices persecuting the country's Jewish population.
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The unification was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles
The unification of Austria and Germany was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which was signed on June 28, 1919, by the Allied and associated powers and Germany. This treaty was designed to prevent Germany from becoming a threat to France and the rest of Europe again, as it had been prior to World War I.
The unification of the two countries was expressly forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which aimed to prevent a powerful, unified Germany and Austria. European leaders feared that a union of the two countries would result in a large and powerful entity that could threaten the peace and stability of the region.
In his autobiography and political treatise, Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote about his vision for the future relationship between Austria and Germany, stating that "German-Austria must be restored to the great German Motherland…People of the same blood should be in the same REICH." Despite the fact that Austria had never been a part of the German Empire, Hitler was determined to bring about this union.
Hitler's annexation of Austria was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany and it demonstrated their disdain for the post-World War I European order. The unification was achieved through political pressure and the threat of force, with German troops crossing the border into Austria on March 12, 1938. The Austrian government, led by Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, had been bullied into accepting Hitler's demands during a meeting in February of that year.
The unification of Austria and Germany was a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles and a significant act of appeasement by the other European powers, who failed to punish Hitler for breaching international treaties. This allowed him to continue his expansionary policies unchecked, leading to further annexations and the outbreak of World War II.
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Austrians welcomed the unification
The unification of Austria and Germany, known as the Anschluss, was a complex issue that evoked mixed reactions from Austrians. While some Austrians resisted the unification, others welcomed it for various reasons. Here are several paragraphs explaining why some Austrians supported the unification:
Historical and Cultural Connections
Austria and Germany shared historical and cultural connections that dated back centuries. Both countries were part of the Holy Roman Empire, and after its dissolution in the Napoleonic Wars, they remained closely tied. Many Austrians considered themselves ethnically German, and the two countries shared linguistic and cultural similarities. This sense of shared identity and heritage made unification appealing to some Austrians.
Economic Factors
After World War I, Austria faced significant economic challenges. The country lost over 60% of its pre-war territory, including lands that had been ruled by the Austro-Hungarian Empire for centuries. This loss of territory and resources left Austria in an economic crisis. Many Austrians believed that unification with Germany offered a solution to their economic woes. They hoped that joining forces with Germany would bring about economic stability and improve their everyday lives.
Political Ideology
The idea of unification was also influenced by political ideology. Pan-Germanism, the belief in the unification of all Germanic peoples, gained traction in the 19th century and continued to have supporters in the subsequent decades. Additionally, the concept of "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") among Nazis promoted the idea of incorporating ethnic Germans outside Germany into a "Greater Germany." This ideology resonated with some Austrians who saw unification as a way to assert their ethnic identity and strengthen their connection to Germany.
Avoidance of Bloodshed
When German troops crossed the Austrian border, they were met not with resistance but with cheers and flowers. Austrians welcomed Hitler as he traveled to Linz and Vienna. Many Austrians were relieved that bloodshed had been avoided, and the presence of German soldiers evoked a sense of solidarity and a feeling that the humiliations of World War I had been overcome.
Persecution of the Jewish Population
Unfortunately, the unification also led to the persecution of Austria's Jewish population. Millions of Austrians supported the unification as they believed it would provide an opportunity to address the so-called "Jewish Question." The subsequent antisemitic violence and Aryanization policies were driven by Austrian Nazis and their collaborators, and this sanctioned persecution further enhanced the popularity of the unification among some Austrians.
In conclusion, while the unification of Austria and Germany was a complex and controversial issue, there were several reasons why some Austrians initially welcomed it. These included historical and cultural connections, economic hopes, political ideology, relief from potential bloodshed, and, unfortunately, the prospect of persecuting the Jewish population.
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Frequently asked questions
Hitler's primary reasoning for incorporating Austria into the German Reich was his belief in the unification of all German peoples and territories, which he referred to as "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm"). He considered it his "life task" to bring together all Germans, whether born in the Reich or living outside of it, into a Greater German Reich.
The incorporation of Austria into the German Reich, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany and a significant demonstration of their disdain for post-World War I treaties and the European order.
Initially, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany. The Austrian chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg, attempted to maintain Austria's independence but was pressured by Hitler and resigned. After the annexation, a plebiscite (a vote) was held under the supervision of the German army, with 99.75% of Austrian voters supporting a union with Germany.
The annexation of Austria was opposed by some European leaders who feared that a united Germany and Austria would be too powerful. Winston Churchill called for "effective measures" to respond to Germany's aggression. However, the other European powers did not intervene or punish Nazi Germany for violating international treaties, which allowed Hitler to continue his expansionist policies.
The annexation of Austria was the first step in Hitler's expansionist policies, which aimed to incorporate ethnic Germans and territories into a "Greater Germany". This set in motion a series of events that led to the outbreak of World War II. Austria remained a federal state of Germany until the end of the war, when the Allied powers reestablished its independence.
