Lexi Webster
The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 was known as the Anschluss. This was the first act of territorial expansion by the Nazi regime and was supported by the majority of Austrians. The event was marked by the Austrian chancellor's resignation and the entry of German troops into Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the event | The Anschluss |
| Date | March 1938 |
| Countries involved | Germany and Austria |
| Outcome | Germany's annexation of Austria |
| Treaty involved | Austro-German Treaty |
| Treaty prohibition | Union of Austria and Germany |
| Treaty violation | Yes |
| Countries that protested | Fascist Italy, France, Britain, and Mexico |
| Countries that took military action | None |
| Nazi support in Austria | Strong |
| Nazi Party membership in Austria | 700,000 people or 10% of the population |
| Nazi draft in Austria | 1.3 million Austrians between 1938 and 1945 |
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What You'll Learn
The Anschluss
The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938 was known as the Anschluss. The word "Anschluss" means "connection" or "joining" in German. The annexation was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by the Nazi German regime.
The idea of unifying Austria and Germany had been around since 1919, particularly among Austrian Social Democrats. By the 1920s, the proposal had gained strong support in both countries, with prominent Social Democrat leader Otto Bauer being one of its most vehement supporters. Support for unification came mainly from the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not economically viable. However, support for unification began to fade after 1933, when Adolf Hitler rose to power in Germany.
In the early 1930s, the Austrian government considered a customs union with the German Republic in 1931. However, regional patriotism ultimately proved stronger than pan-German sentiment. In 1933, the Dollfuss regime banned the Austrian Nazi Party and its affiliates, making the Nazi movement illegal in Austria. Despite this, Austrian Nazis continued to operate illegally within the country and thousands fled across the border into Germany, where they formed a paramilitary unit known as the Austrian Legion.
In July 1934, Austrian and German Nazis attempted a coup in Austria, during which Chancellor Dollfuss was assassinated. Hitler denied involvement in the coup attempt, and the failure made it clear that the Nazis would have to move more slowly if they wanted to gain control of Austria. In 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired for the second time to seize the Austrian government by force and unite with Nazi Germany. Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg met with Hitler in February 1938, hoping to reassert his country's independence, but was forced to name several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet.
On March 9, 1938, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of the Anschluss once and for all. However, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11, pleading with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" into the country. On March 12, Hitler accompanied German troops into Austria, where they were met with enthusiasm by the crowds. The next day, on March 13, Hitler annexed Austria outright. A controlled plebiscite held on April 10 gave a 99.7% approval rating.
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Austrian Nazi Party
The event that saw Germany take over Austria was known as the "Anschluss". This occurred in March 1938, when German troops entered Austria and were met by enthusiastic crowds.
The Austrian Nazi Party was a pan-German movement that formed at the beginning of the 20th century. It took a concrete form on 15 November 1903, when the German Worker's Party (DAP) was established in Austria. The DAP changed its name to the Deutsche Nationalsozialistische Arbeiterpartei (DNSAP) in 1918. The DNSAP split into several factions in 1923 and again in 1926, with most former members becoming supporters of the German NSDAP, led by Austrian-born Adolf Hitler.
In the late 1920s and early 1930s, the Austrian Nazi Party was weak, divided, and ineffective. However, by 1931, the bulk of Austrian Nazis recognised Hitler as their leader, and the party gained more supporters as Hitler's popularity in Germany increased. In 1933, the Dollfuss regime banned the Austrian Nazi Party and its affiliates, and the Nazi movement became illegal in Austria. Despite this, Austrian Nazis continued to operate illegally within the country and even received military training in Germany, where they formed a paramilitary unit known as the Austrian Legion.
In July 1934, Austrian Nazis attempted to overthrow the Austrian government, killing Chancellor Dollfuss in the process. After Dollfuss' death, Kurt von Schuschnigg took over as Austrian chancellor and dictator. He continued his predecessor's authoritarian policies and arrested thousands of Austrian Nazis, including some of the conspirators. In March 1938, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of the Anschluss once and for all. However, before the plebiscite could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned. Hitler then signed the order to send troops into Austria, and the annexation was complete.
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German military presence
The German annexation of Austria in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany. The idea of a union between Austria and Germany dated back to 1919, when Austria was excluded from the unification of Germany. In the lead-up to the annexation, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Germany. Under pressure from Hitler, Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg resigned on March 11, 1938, and pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German invasion.
On March 12, 1938, Hitler entered Austria alongside German troops, who were greeted by enthusiastic crowds. Hitler appointed a Nazi government, and the annexation was proclaimed on March 13. Austria became a federal state of Germany, and the German military presence was established.
The German military presence in Austria was facilitated by the presence of Austrian Nazis who had fled to Germany and formed the Austrian Legion (Österreichische Legion). This paramilitary unit received military training from German Nazis and posed a threatening military force on the border. The Austrian Legion was involved in a failed coup attempt in 1934, when they took control of the Austrian chancellery and assassinated Chancellor Dollfuss.
After the annexation, the German military integrated Austrian forces into their own. The Austrian Legion, now part of the German military, was deployed to occupy Austria and maintain order. The German military also established a presence in key locations across Austria, including government buildings, military installations, and transportation hubs.
The German military presence in Austria was not strongly opposed by other nations. Despite verbal protests, particularly from Fascist Italy, France, and Britain, no military action was taken to prevent the annexation. The German military was able to solidify its control over Austria without significant external interference.
The annexation of Austria provided Germany with valuable resources, including iron ore mines, skilled labour, and foreign currency reserves. It also served as a test case for Hitler's expansionist agenda, demonstrating the lack of strong international resistance. The German military presence in Austria solidified the union and paved the way for further territorial aggression by Nazi Germany.
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International response
The event in which Germany annexed Austria was called the Anschluss. This event took place in March 1938 and was the Nazi German regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion.
The international response to the Anschluss was publicly moderate. There was no military confrontation, and even the strongest voices against the annexation, including Fascist Italy, France, and Britain (the "Stresa Front"), remained at peace. The loudest verbal protest was voiced by the government of Mexico.
Winston Churchill warned that it was time for countries to take "effective measures" to respond to Germany's aggression. However, other world leaders were silent, and it seemed that Austria was not worth fighting for. In Britain, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain reminded Parliament that their country had no treaty obligations with Austria.
On March 14, 1938, Chamberlain spoke about the "Austrian situation" in the House of Commons. He noted that the British ambassador in Berlin objected to the use of "coercion, backed by force" that undermined Austria's independence. Within this speech, Chamberlain also acknowledged that nothing could have stopped what happened in Austria unless other countries had taken action.
The acceptance of the Anschluss by other European powers was a significant act of appeasement, allowing Hitler to continue his expansionary policies unchecked.
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Soviet occupation
The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938 was known as the "Anschluss". This event marked Nazi Germany's first act of territorial expansion, and it was met with widespread international condemnation.
Following the Anschluss, the Soviet Union's Red Army entered Austria in 1945, during the final stages of World War II. This period, known as the Soviet occupation, witnessed significant military engagements and the eventual capture of Vienna, the Austrian capital, by Soviet forces. The Soviet troops then advanced towards other major cities, including Linz and Graz, in early May. The fighting between the Red Army and the German soldiers continued even after the cessation of hostilities elsewhere in Europe, with German forces desperately attempting to surrender to Western Allies to avoid becoming Soviet prisoners of war. The Soviet occupation of Austria was marked by numerous crimes, including looting and rape, with estimates suggesting that in Vienna alone, the Red Army raped between 70,000 and 100,000 women.
The conduct of Soviet soldiers during the occupation of Austria drew intense scrutiny, with debates among historians regarding the severity of their actions in comparison to other occupied territories, such as Germany. While evidence indicates that the scale of assaults in Austria may have been less severe than in Germany, the behaviour of Soviet troops nonetheless undermined their occupation policies and delegitimized their Austrian allies, the Communist Party of Austria.
The Soviet occupation policies in Austria were significantly influenced by the Moscow Declaration of 1943, which was agreed upon by the British, Americans, and Soviets. The declaration outlined the principles that would govern the occupation and administration of defeated Nazi territories, including Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
The annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938 was known as the Anschluss.
Anschluss is a German word that translates to "union" or "joining."
Yes, the Anschluss was supported by a majority of Austrian voters. On April 10, 1938, 99.75% of Austrian voters supported a union with Germany.
The international community's response to the annexation was mostly verbal and moderate. There was no military confrontation, and even countries strongly opposed to the annexation, such as Fascist Italy, France, and Britain, did not intervene.
