Lyla Lindsey
On March 12, 1938, German troops invaded Austria and annexed the country for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the Nazi German regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion. The German annexation of Austria marked a significant breach of the post-World War I international order and set the stage for further Nazi aggression in Europe.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of invasion | 1938 |
| Month of invasion | March |
| Date of invasion | 12 March |
| German leader | Adolf Hitler |
| Austrian leader | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| German chancellor | Hermann Göring |
| Austrian chancellor | Arthur Seyss-Inquart |
| German state | Third Reich |
| German military | SA, SS |
| Austrian political system | Right-wing authoritarian |
| German motive | Territorial expansion |
| German goal | Anschluss (union) with Austria |
| German method | Ultimatums, threats, force |
| Austrian response | Concessions, resignation, non-resistance |
| International reaction | Appeasement |
| Outcome | Annexation of Austria |
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What You'll Learn
The Anschluss
The idea of unification had support in both Austria and Germany in the 1920s, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and centre. However, support for unification began to fade over time, and by the end of 1933, Austrian public opinion about German annexation was mostly against it. Despite this, the Nazis gained supporters in Austria in 1931-1932 as Hitler's popularity in Germany increased, and his appointment as chancellor in 1933 further destabilized the country. Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss took advantage of the situation, transforming Austria into a right-wing authoritarian regime.
Hitler's desire to invade Austria became clear in 1937, when he told Goebbels that the country would eventually have to be taken "by force". In February 1938, Hitler invited Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg to Germany and forced him to agree to give the Austrian Nazis free rein. Schuschnigg later announced a plebiscite on the issue of unification, but he was pressured by the Germans to cancel the vote and resign on March 11, 1938. That evening, he gave a radio address, instructing Austrians and the Austrian military not to resist German troops. Germany invaded the next day, and Hitler annexed Austria outright on March 13, with a controlled plebiscite giving a 99.7% approval.
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German annexation of Austria
The German annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, took place over three days in March 1938. This act of territorial aggression marked the Nazi German regime's first expansion of its territory.
Hitler's popularity in Germany increased from 1931 to 1932, with a noticeable rise in support across Austria after he was appointed German chancellor in January 1933. Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss took advantage of this shift in support and transformed Austria from a democratic republic into a right-wing authoritarian regime. This new government was known as the Corporate State (Ständestaat) or the Austrofascist state.
In 1936, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg signed an agreement with German ambassador Franz von Papen, in which Schuschnigg agreed to the release of Nazis imprisoned in Austria, and Germany promised to respect Austrian sovereignty. Under the terms of the Austro-German treaty, Austria declared itself a "German state" that would always follow Germany's foreign policy lead. However, this did not satisfy Hitler, and the pro-German Austrian Nazis continued to gain strength.
In March 1938, German troops invaded Austria and incorporated the country into the German Reich. On March 11, Hitler gave the Austrian government a series of ultimatums: Chancellor Schuschnigg must call off the plebiscite, and Austrian president Wilhelm Miklas must appoint Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart as the new Austrian chancellor. If these demands were not met, the German military would invade Austria. Schuschnigg resigned on the evening of March 11, and the next day, German troops marched into Austria, accompanied by Hitler, and were met with enthusiasm. On March 13, the Anschluss was proclaimed, and a law was passed for the reunion of Austria in the German Reich.
The annexation of Austria was a significant breach of the post-World War I international order. It was also the first step in a series of acts of territorial aggression by Nazi Germany, including the occupation of Czechoslovakia in 1939 and the invasion of Poland later that year, which started World War II.
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Nazi Austrian supporters
Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria in March 1938 was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by the regime. The annexation, known as the Anschluss, was supported by most of the Austrian population.
Austrian Nazis gained supporters in 1931–1932 as Hitler rose to power in Germany. Austrian politics at the time was characterised by infighting and political violence, and the rise of the Nazis further destabilised the situation. Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss responded by transforming Austria from a democratic republic into a right-wing authoritarian regime under his control. This government, known as the Corporate State (Ständestaat) or Austrofascist state, was diplomatically aligned with Fascist Italy and authoritarian Hungary. Dollfuss and his successor, Kurt Schuschnigg, were committed to crushing the political left in Austria.
In 1933, the Austrian Nazi Party failed to win any seats in the general election, but its popularity grew in Austria after Hitler came to power in Germany. The idea of unification with Germany was also popular, thanks in part to a Nazi propaganda campaign. Support for unification came mainly from the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not economically viable.
Austrian Nazis engaged in terrorist attacks against Austrian governmental institutions, causing a death toll of more than 800 between 1934 and 1938. In 1935, Schuschnigg used the police to suppress Nazi supporters, interning them in camps. However, leading Austrian Nazis fled to Germany and continued to push for unification. In 1936, Schuschnigg signed an agreement with Germany to release Nazis imprisoned in Austria, and Austria declared itself a German state that would follow Germany's lead in foreign policy. Despite this, Hitler was unsatisfied, and the pro-German Austrian Nazis continued to grow in strength.
In March 1938, Hitler gave the Austrian government a series of ultimatums, demanding that Schuschnigg cancel a planned plebiscite on Austrian independence and hand over power to the Austrian Nazis. When Schuschnigg refused, Hitler ordered German troops to invade Austria. The invasion was met with little resistance, and the Anschluss was celebrated by many Austrians. During World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces, and others participated in the Nazi administration.
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Austrian independence
In the 20th century, Austria's sovereignty was threatened by the rise of Nazi Germany. Austrian Nazis gained supporters as Hitler's popularity in Germany increased, and the country's politics became even more unstable. Despite attempts by Austrian chancellors to maintain independence, they were unable to resist the pressure from Hitler and his supporters.
On March 11, 1938, Hitler issued an ultimatum to Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, demanding that he hand over power to the Austrian Nazis or face an invasion. Schuschnigg resigned, and the next day, German troops marched into Austria, where they were met by enthusiastic crowds. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany. It marked a significant breach of the post-World War I international order.
During the spring, summer, and autumn of 1938, there was a wave of street violence against Jewish people and property in Vienna and other cities throughout the so-called Greater German Reich. This culminated in the Kristallnacht riots and violence of November 9-10. Austria existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II when the Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and reestablished an independent Austria.
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German invasion of Austria
The German invasion of Austria, known as the Anschluss, took place over three days in March 1938. The invasion was the Nazi German regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion.
Hitler had been planning to invade Austria since 1936, when he launched the Four-Year Plan, which called for a dramatic increase in military spending. In July 1936, Austrian chancellor Schuschnigg signed an agreement with German ambassador Franz von Papen, in which Schuschnigg agreed to the release of Nazis imprisoned in Austria, and Germany promised to respect Austrian sovereignty. However, this did not satisfy Hitler, and the pro-German Austrian Nazis continued to grow in strength.
On March 9, 1938, Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of the Anschluss once and for all. However, before the plebiscite could take place, Schuschnigg gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11. In his resignation address, he instructed Austrians and the Austrian military not to resist a German "advance" into the country. On March 12, Hitler accompanied German troops into Austria, where they were met by enthusiastic crowds. A new Nazi government was appointed, and on March 13, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed.
The German invasion of Austria marked a significant breach of the post-World War I international order. It also set a precedent for further acts of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany, including the occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 and the invasion of Poland in September 1939, which started World War II.
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Frequently asked questions
German troops invaded Austria on 12 March 1938.
The invasion of Austria by Germany is known as the Anschluss.
Anschluss means "annexation".
Hitler wanted to unite Austria and Germany. He also wanted to plunder Austria's economy to gain the lead in the arms race with Britain and France.
No. Although Austrian Nazis gained supporters, Chancellor Schuschnigg tried to maintain Austrian independence. However, he eventually gave in to Hitler's demands and resigned.
