Lyla Lindsey
The Anschluss, which means 'joining' or 'connection' in German, refers to the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. The idea of a union between Austria and Germany (referred to as Anschluss) gained support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. Despite attempts by other European powers to prevent it, the annexation occurred with little to no opposition, and Austria became a province of Nazi Germany. This event marked a turning point for Austria's Jews, who faced increased persecution and violence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 March 1938 |
| Type of event | Annexation of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany |
| German name | Anschluß Österreichs |
| English name | Annexation of Austria |
| Alternative name | Reunification of Austria with Germany |
| Austrian population in 1938 | Approximately 6.5 million |
| Number of Austrian Jews in 1938 | Approximately 200,000 |
| Percentage of Austrian Jews surviving the Holocaust | 3.5% (7,000 out of 65,000) |
| Number of Austrians recognised as "Righteous among the Nations" by Yad Vashem | 110 |
| Austrian Nazi Chancellor who signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law | Seyss-Inquart |
| Austrian chancellor forced to resign by the Germans | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| Austrian chancellor assassinated by the Nazis in 1934 | Engelbert Dollfuss |
| Austrian chancellor in 1927 | Ignaz Seipel |
| German Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1927 | Gustav Stresemann |
| Austrian chancellor in 1929 | Johannes Schober |
| German Foreign Affairs Minister in 1931 | Julius Curtius |
| Austrian chancellor in 1931 | Otto Ender |
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What You'll Learn
- The Anschluss was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938
- The Austrian population was divided between supporting unification with Germany and remaining independent
- The Anschluss was preceded by a rise in support for the Nazis in Austria
- The Anschluss was facilitated by Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg's resignation
- The Anschluss led to the persecution of Austrian Jews
The Anschluss was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938
The Anschluss, which took place on March 12, 1938, was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. The German word "Anschluss" translates to "joining" or "connection" in English. The annexation occurred when the German Army marched into Austria with little to no opposition from the Austrian population or other foreign powers. Austria was then incorporated into the Greater German Reich, becoming a province of Nazi Germany.
The idea of the Anschluss arose after the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. Support for the union of Austria and Germany grew after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. The new Republic of German-Austria attempted to unite with Germany, but the 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles prohibited the union and the use of the name "German-Austria". The treaties also stripped Austria of some territories, including the Sudetenland.
In the early 1930s, the Austrian government considered a customs union with the German Republic in 1931. However, attempts to prevent the annexation of Austria into Germany were made by the Austrian chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg, who called for a plebiscite (referendum) on Austrian independence. On March 11, 1938, the Germans pressured Schuschnigg to cancel the plebiscite and resign. Despite this, a plebiscite was held retrospectively on April 10, 1938, indicating 99% approval, although the result should be treated with caution as voters were pressured by the Nazis.
The Anschluss marked a terrible turning point for Austria's approximately 200,000 Jews. Beginning on the night of March 11 and in the following weeks, there was violence across the country, with Austrian Nazis beating, attacking, and humiliating Jews. Jews were forced to clean public toilets, perform humiliating exercises, and scrub the streets while being mocked by jeering crowds. The Nazis also forced Jews to join cleaning units, tasked with removing political slogans from pavements and walls with brushes or even toothbrushes.
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The Austrian population was divided between supporting unification with Germany and remaining independent
The Austrian population held diverse opinions and was divided in their sentiments regarding unification with Germany or maintaining their independence. This divide was a significant aspect of the complex political landscape in Austria during the early 20th century. On one side, there were Austrians who favoured unification, believing that it would bring about economic and political benefits. They saw unity as a way to strengthen their position in Europe and viewed a union with a more powerful Germany as advantageous. Many Austrian Germans, especially those living in areas close to the German border, felt a strong cultural and ethnic affinity with Germans and supported the idea of a single German state. They shared a common language and a sense of Germanic heritage, which formed the basis for their desire to unite with Germany.
However, on the other side of the divide, there were Austrians who strongly advocated for maintaining their country's independence. They took pride in Austria's unique identity and history and wanted to preserve their distinct culture and traditions, which had developed over centuries. The idea of being subsumed into a larger German entity was unappealing to them. Many Austrians, especially those from non-Germanic backgrounds, feared that unification would lead to the loss of their cultural autonomy and the dominance of German culture and interests. Additionally, some Austrians were concerned about the potential political consequences of unification. They feared that Austria would lose its sovereignty and become a mere appendage to Germany, with less political influence and independence.
The social and economic elites in Austria were also divided on the issue. Some industrialists and businessmen saw greater economic opportunities and benefits in a union with Germany, especially in terms of access to a larger market and the potential for increased trade. However, other members of the economic elite, particularly those with strong ties to the Habsburg dynasty, favoured independence, as they believed it would allow them to maintain their privileged position and influence within Austria. The working classes, too, had differing opinions, with some attracted to the idea of unity, believing it would bring about improved economic conditions, while others feared the potential loss of jobs and the dominance of German workers in a unified state.
The issue of unification or independence was further complicated by the political climate of the time. The rise of nationalism and the appeal of a strong, unified German state resonated with many Austrians, especially in the context of a changing Europe and the growing threat posed by other powers. Yet, there were also those who feared the potential consequences of unification, given the rise of Nazism and the increasingly aggressive policies pursued by Adolf Hitler's regime in Germany. The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, in 1938, was a direct result of these complex and divided sentiments. While some Austrians welcomed this union, it was also met with resistance and a desire to restore Austria's independence.
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The Anschluss was preceded by a rise in support for the Nazis in Austria
The Anschluss, the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, was preceded by a rise in support for the Nazis in Austria. The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, or Anschluss, first arose in 1871 when the unification of Germany excluded Austria and German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. Support for the union came mainly from the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not viable economically. Many Austrians also considered themselves ethnically German.
The dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 further bolstered support for unification. The new Republic of German-Austria attempted to form a union with Germany, but the 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles forbade both the union and the continued use of the name "German-Austria". The treaties also stripped Austria of some of its territories, such as the Sudetenland. Despite this, the idea of unification did not have overwhelming support among the Austrian population in 1919.
In the 1920s, the Austrian government turned to Italy for support, but Italian leader Benito Mussolini eventually abandoned the idea of intervening to protect Austria. In 1927, France attempted to prevent an Anschluss by incorporating Austria into a Danubian Confederation, 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. In 1931, negotiations for a customs union between Austria and Germany were finalized, but France opposed the union, stating that it violated the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
In the early 1930s, support for the Nazis and unification with Germany grew in Austria as Hitler's popularity in Germany increased. This was particularly noticeable after Hitler was appointed German chancellor in 1933. Austrian Nazis attempted a coup in 1934, but it was unsuccessful. An authoritarian right-wing government then took power in Austria, preventing legitimate dissent and resistance to unification. In 1938, under pressure from pro-unification activists, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced a referendum on a possible union with Germany, but he was pressured by Hitler to cancel the referendum and resign.
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The Anschluss was facilitated by Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg's resignation
The Anschluss was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany, which took place on March 12, 1938. The idea of a unified Austria and Germany dated back to the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire.
Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg was a key figure in the events leading up to the Anschluss. Schuschnigg, who became chancellor in 1934, considered Austria a "German state" and Austrians to be Germans. However, he strongly opposed Adolf Hitler's goal of absorbing Austria into the Third Reich and wished for Austria to remain independent. In an attempt to prevent German annexation, Schuschnigg called for a plebiscite (referendum) on Austrian independence.
On March 11, 1938, the Germans pressured Schuschnigg to cancel the plebiscite and resign. Schuschnigg obeyed and resigned, also ordering the Austrian Army not to resist the Germans. His resignation and the subsequent invasion by Germany on March 12 facilitated the annexation of Austria. The enthusiasm that followed the invasion gave Hitler the cover to annex Austria outright on March 13, with a controlled plebiscite on April 10 showing 99.7% approval.
The annexation of Austria was not inevitable, and certain historical factors and events facilitated the process. Between World War I and World War II, most Austrians considered themselves ethnically German, and many lived outside of Germany in areas that had previously been part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 and the subsequent establishment of new states, including Austria, contributed to the idea of a unified Germany and Austria. While there was opposition to the unification, regional patriotism, and support for Austrian independence, the resignation of Schuschnigg, who embodied this opposition, was a turning point that paved the way for the annexation.
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The Anschluss led to the persecution of Austrian Jews
The Anschluss, which means "union" in German, was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in March 1938. This event had significant consequences for the Jewish population in Austria, as it led directly to their persecution and eventual attempted annihilation. Prior to the Anschluss, Austria had a rich and vibrant Jewish community, with a long history dating back to the Middle Ages. However, with the rise of Nazism in Germany and the increasing influence of Nazi ideology in Austria, the situation for Jews began to deteriorate rapidly. On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed the border into Austria and were met with enthusiastic support from many Austrians, who welcomed the unification with Germany. Adolf Hitler, himself an Austrian-born, was greeted with adulation as he entered Vienna. The Nazi regime quickly moved to consolidate power and impose its racist and antisemitic policies on the newly annexed territory. One of the first measures taken was the enactment of the Nuremberg Laws in Austria, which stripped Jews of their basic rights and legal protections. Jewish businesses were confiscated, and Jews were dismissed from their jobs in the civil service, universities, and other professions. They were subjected to a range of discriminatory laws and regulations, including the requirement to wear a yellow badge, and were effectively excluded from public life.
The Nazis also wasted no time in implementing their propaganda machine, using newspapers, posters, and rallies to spread antisemitic rhetoric and incite hatred toward the Jewish population. The situation worsened with the outbreak of World War II in September 1939. As the war progressed, the Nazis began deporting Austrian Jews to ghettos and concentration camps in Poland and other occupied territories. The first deportations began in October 1939, with Jews being sent to the ghetto in Lodz, Poland. In 1941, the Nazis began constructing a network of concentration and extermination camps, including Auschwitz-Birkenau, where the majority of Austrian Jews would eventually perish. By the end of the war, the Nazis had murdered an estimated 65,000 Austrian Jews, with only a small fraction surviving the horrors of the Holocaust.
The impact of the Anschluss on the Jewish community in Austria was devastating. Prior to 1938, there were approximately 185,000 Jews living in the country. By 1945, only a few thousand remained. The Anschluss and the subsequent persecution and murder of Austrian Jews represent a tragic chapter in the country's history and serve as a stark reminder of the destructive power of antisemitism and totalitarianism. The legacy of the Holocaust continues to shape Austrian society today, with ongoing efforts to commemorate the victims, educate the public, and promote tolerance and mutual understanding. The Austrian government has taken steps to acknowledge and address its role in the Nazi crimes, including providing compensation to Holocaust survivors and their descendants.
In conclusion, the Anschluss marked the beginning of a dark period for Austrian Jews, who became targets of Nazi persecution and genocide. The rapid implementation of antisemitic policies, the spread of hateful propaganda, and the eventual deportations to ghettos and death camps resulted in the near-total destruction of a once-thriving Jewish community. The memory of these events serves as a solemn reminder of the importance of combating antisemitism and upholding the values of diversity and human rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The Anschluss was the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938.
The term 'Anschluss' means 'joining' or 'connection' in German.
The Anschluss marked a terrible turning point for Austrian Jews. They were forced to join cleaning units, scrubbing the streets as crowds mocked them. They were also forced to paint 'Jude' on Jewish-owned businesses.
The Anschluss resulted in the construction of Mauthausen, Austria's largest concentration camp. It also led to the establishment of the Gestapo and the Central Office for Jewish Emigration in Vienna.
