Lyla Lindsey
The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, was a crucial event in the lead-up to World War II. It took place in March 1938, with German troops entering Austria on March 12, 1938, and the country being incorporated into Germany the next day. This event was the culmination of a prolonged period of economic stagnation and intense Nazi propaganda in Austria, and it was met with enthusiasm by most of the Austrian population. The annexation was also a significant step in Hitler's aggressive foreign policy goals and his belief in the importance of 'living space' for the 'Aryan race.'
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What You'll Learn
- The annexation of Austria was a crucial event leading up to WWII
- The Allies' reaction to the annexation was only verbal and moderate
- Hitler's foreign policy goals and beliefs about the nature of the world
- The persecution and abuse of Jews and political opposition figures in annexed Austria
- The lack of thorough denazification in Austria after WWII
The annexation of Austria was a crucial event leading up to WWII
The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II. It occurred on March 12, 1938, when German troops, accompanied by Hitler himself, marched into Austria and were met with enthusiastic support from most of the population. This annexation was the culmination of a conspiracy by Austrian Nazis to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany. The annexation of Austria was a crucial event for several reasons.
Firstly, it demonstrated Hitler's growing confidence and aggression in his foreign policy. After coming to power in 1933, Hitler had set Germany on a course for conflict, increasing the size of the army and promoting his racist ideology through propaganda. The annexation of Austria was an important step in his broader goal of gaining "living space" in the East, particularly in the Soviet Union, for the so-called "Aryan race."
Secondly, the annexation of Austria was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany. Despite this, the Allies failed to take any significant action beyond verbal protests, emboldening Hitler and allowing him to act with impunity. This inaction by the Allies was a crucial factor in the lead-up to WWII, as it created a sense of permissiveness that Hitler exploited to further his expansionist agenda.
Additionally, the annexation of Austria had immediate and severe consequences for the Jewish population in Austria. The Nazis applied German anti-Jewish legislation, forcing Jews out of their positions and effectively expelling them from the country's economic, social, and cultural life. Widespread antisemitic actions, including arrests, looting, and humiliation of Jews, followed quickly. By December 1939, only 57,000 Jews remained in Austria, with tens of thousands fleeing Nazi persecution.
The annexation of Austria also set off a chain of events that further destabilized Europe and increased tensions leading up to WWII. Following the annexation, Hitler targeted Czechoslovakia, provoking an international crisis that led to the Munich Agreement in September 1938, giving Germany control of the Sudetenland. This demonstrated Hitler's continued aggression and the failure of appeasement policies, bringing Europe closer to the brink of war.
In conclusion, the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938 was a crucial event leading up to WWII. It showcased Hitler's aggressive foreign policy, exploited ethnic nationalism, and highlighted the failure of the Allies to uphold the Treaty of Versailles. The annexation also had devastating consequences for the Jewish population and set in motion a series of events that further escalated tensions in Europe, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of WWII.
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The Allies' reaction to the annexation was only verbal and moderate
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, was among the first major steps in Austrian-born Hitler's desire to create a Greater German Reich that would include all ethnic Germans and the territories that the German Empire had lost after World War I. The unification of Germany in 1871 had excluded Austria, and the country had never been part of the German Empire.
The United States also reacted to the annexation, and it caused great concern in Washington. While it did not lead to a sudden change in US foreign policy, it did affect and shape American policy. The US criticized Germany's increasing lawlessness and formulated a foreign policy to respond more forcefully to Hitler's aggressive actions. Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes refused to sell helium to Germany, causing increased tension between the two countries. However, the weak American economy and domestic problems dictated that the US continue normal economic relations with Germany.
The annexation of Austria had significant consequences for the country and its people. Austria became a federal state of Germany and ceased to exist as an independent state. The Anschluss was proclaimed on March 13, 1938, and the country was quickly transformed as Austrian and German Nazis carried out the Nazification of all aspects of Austrian life. The campaign against the Jews began immediately, and widespread antisemitic actions and political violence followed. The Nazis applied German anti-Jewish legislation, forcing Jews out of their positions and effectively expelling them from the country's economic, social, and cultural life. Tens of thousands of Jews fled Nazi persecution, and by December 1939, only 57,000 Jews remained in Austria.
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Hitler's foreign policy goals and beliefs about the nature of the world
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, saw the unification of Austria and Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to maintain his country's independence but was forced to resign and was imprisoned.
Undo Treaty of Versailles Restrictions
Hitler sought to reverse the limitations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, which included territorial losses and military restrictions. He considered this a matter of righting injustices against Germany.
Acquire "Living Space" (Lebensraum)
Hitler believed that Germany required additional territory, or "living space" (Lebensraum), for its survival. This ambition fueled his expansionist policies, particularly towards Eastern Europe.
Incorporate Ethnic German Territories
Hitler aimed to incorporate territories with significant ethnic German populations into the Reich. This included regions like the Saar, the Sudetenland, and Austria, which had a large German-speaking population.
Build Alliances and Expand Influence
Hitler sought to form alliances and expand Germany's influence in Europe. He aimed to bring Eastern European countries into Germany's economic sphere and build alliances that would support his territorial ambitions.
Establish a New European Order
Hitler envisioned a hierarchical Europe dominated by Germany. This new order would involve the persecution and annihilation of Jews, as well as the subordination of other races deemed inferior.
Hitler's foreign policy was characterized by a combination of long-term strategic goals and opportunism. He exploited opportunities as they arose, such as taking advantage of Austria's economic struggles, and used aggressive tactics, including the threat of war, to achieve his expansionist ambitions.
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The persecution and abuse of Jews and political opposition figures in annexed Austria
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. The annexation, known as the Anschluss, was preceded by a prolonged period of economic stagnation, political dictatorship, and intense Nazi propaganda in Austria. The German troops were met with enthusiasm by most Austrians, and the country was incorporated into Germany the following day.
The persecution and abuse of Jews in annexed Austria began almost immediately. The Nazis applied German anti-Jewish legislation, forcing Jews out of their positions and, in effect, expelling them from the country's economic, social, and cultural life. The Gestapo, along with Austrian Nazis and sympathizers, looted Jewish belongings, seized Jewish businesses, and arrested those who refused to surrender their property. Jews were attacked and humiliated on the streets, and by December 1939, only 57,000 Jews remained in Austria, down from a pre-Anschluss population of about 192,000. Tens of thousands fled Nazi persecution, and those who remained faced wild and rapid expropriation of their property, accompanied by extreme intimidation and violence.
The first systematic deportations of Jews from Vienna began in October 1941, with Jews sent to the Lodz Ghetto (Litzmannstadt). This was followed by deportations to Minsk, Riga, and Terezin (Therenstadt), and in July 1942, the first deportation of 995 people directly to Auschwitz took place. The deportations continued into 1945, and by the end of the war, only about 5,000 Jews were left in Austria.
The persecution and abuse were not limited to Jews but also extended to political opposition figures. Austria's leading politicians were imprisoned, and anyone who opposed Nazi rule was subject to arrest, torture, and death. The Austrian government, under Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, had attempted to maintain the country's independence, but he was coerced into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet and eventually resigned on March 11, 1938, pleading with Austrian forces not to resist the German "advance." The annexation was retroactively approved in a plebiscite manipulated to indicate that about 99% of Austrians wanted the union, but Jews and Roma (Gypsies) were not allowed to vote.
The Holocaust drastically reduced the Jewish community in Austria, and the aftermath of World War II saw the return of some Austrian Jews who had survived or escaped. However, they faced familiar abuses and difficulties in recovering their homes, businesses, and possessions. The Austrian government maintained a denial of guilt for Hitlerite crimes, and it was not until the 1960s that a process to honor Resistance heroes and acknowledge the country's role began.
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The lack of thorough denazification in Austria after WWII
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, annexing the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, saw the unification of Austria with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to maintain his country's independence but was forced to resign and appoint several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. Following the annexation, widespread antisemitic actions and political violence occurred, with Jews being attacked and humiliated, and forced out of the country's economic, social, and cultural life.
In the aftermath of World War II, the process of denazification aimed to rid German and Austrian society, culture, and politics of Nazi ideology. However, Austria's denazification efforts were not as thorough as those in Germany. Several factors contributed to the lack of comprehensive denazification in Austria:
Lack of Outside Pressure for Political Reform
Austria lacked the same level of outside pressure for political reform that Germany experienced. This allowed factions of Austrian society to promote the "victim theory," arguing that the Anschluss was an act of military aggression and that Austrians were unwilling victims of the Nazi regime. This view was supported by the Moscow Declaration, which stated that Austria was a victim of Germany. As a result, Austria avoided some of the harsh consequences faced by Germany, such as territorial loss.
The "Victim Theory" and National Unity
The "victim theory" became a fundamental myth in Austrian society, allowing political opponents to unite and bring former Nazis back into social and political life. The Austrian state denied any continuity between itself and the Nazi regime that had existed from 1938 to 1945. Veterans of the Wehrmacht and the Waffen-SS were honored and integrated back into society, while the struggle for justice by Jewish victims of Nazism was marginalized.
Practical Challenges and Shifting Priorities
Initially, there was a strong desire to thoroughly investigate and hold accountable all supporters of Nazism. However, this proved impractical due to the large number of potential suspects. Additionally, as time passed, the emergence of the Cold War and the economic importance of Germany led to a shift in priorities. The concern to maintain goodwill with the German population to prevent the growth of communism also moderated the denazification efforts in the West.
Inconsistent Implementation and Whitewashing
During the occupation, the Soviet powers arrested and prosecuted Nazis, but they also whitewashed" those they deemed "less tainted" in the hopes of strengthening the Austrian communist party. Meanwhile, in the British sector, tensions arose between bodies prosecuting Hitlerites and economic powers recruiting former Nazi industrial and commercial managers. Nazis were often simply transferred from one position to another, and people's courts trying the cases included former Nazis among the judges.
In summary, the lack of thorough denazification in Austria after WWII can be attributed to a combination of factors, including the "victim theory," practical challenges, shifting geopolitical priorities, and inconsistent implementation across different occupation zones.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany annexed Austria on March 12, 1938.
While many Austrians responded with euphoria, suicides among Austrian Jews increased. The Nazis organized a referendum on the unification, which was manipulated to indicate that about 99% of the Austrian people wanted the union.
The Allies were committed to upholding the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of St. Germain, which specifically prohibited the union of Austria and Germany. However, their reaction was only verbal and moderate, with no military confrontation taking place.
The annexation of Austria was a crucial event in the lead-up to World War II. It indicated Hitler's newfound confidence and set the stage for his aggressive foreign policy, including targeting Czechoslovakia and threatening the Sudetenland.
