Lyla Lindsey
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, was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany. The invasion was ordered by Hitler, who accompanied the troops into Austria, where they were met with enthusiasm by the crowds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 12 March 1938 |
| Time | 5 am |
| Reason | To annex Austria into the Third Reich |
| Resistance | None; Austrians welcomed the German troops with cheers and flowers |
| Support | 99% of Austrian population |
| New Chancellor of Austria | Arthur Seyss-Inquart |
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What You'll Learn
Hitler's involvement in the coup
On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed the border into Austria, marking the country's annexation, known as the Anschluss. This was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion, as they sought to redraw the map of post-World War I Europe. The invasion was led by Adolf Hitler, who had been appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933, boosting Austrian Nazis who advocated for unification with Germany.
Hitler's expansionist policies were driven by his belief that the postwar international borders were unfair and illegitimate. He aimed to unite Germany and Austria, despite the peace treaties that forbade such a union. After the failed coup, Hitler adjusted his tactics, focusing on legal means and propaganda to gain power.
In 1938, Hitler threatened to invade Austria and demanded the resignation of Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, who had called for a referendum on the issue. Hitler's ultimatum expired without a response, and he ordered the invasion to commence on March 12. The 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht crossed the border, encountering no armed resistance. Austrians welcomed Hitler warmly as he traveled to Linz and then Vienna.
The takeover allowed Austrian Nazis to openly express their antisemitism, persecuting the country's Jewish population. Austrian civil servants, soldiers, and police officers took an oath to Hitler, participating in the Nazification of their country. A referendum was held on April 10 to legitimize the Nazi military action, with over 99% of the Austrian population voting in favor of the Anschluss.
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The Austrian referendum
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This was the culmination of a series of events that started with the Austrian Nazi Party's conspiracy to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany.
In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired for the second time in four years to seize the Austrian government by force. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, learning of the conspiracy, met with Nazi leader Adolf Hitler to assert his country's independence. However, he was coerced into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet.
On March 9, 1938, Chancellor Schuschnigg called for a referendum to be held on March 13 to resolve the question of annexation once and for all. Hitler, infuriated by this, demanded Schuschnigg's resignation and the appointment of Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a Nazi, as chancellor. Hitler threatened to invade Austria if his demands were not met.
Faced with this threat, Schuschnigg informed Seyss-Inquart that the referendum would be cancelled. Schuschnigg resigned on March 11, 1938, and in his address, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German invasion. After midnight on March 12, Austrian President Wilhelm Miklas appointed Seyss-Inquart as chancellor. The next morning, German troops crossed the border and were met with cheers and flowers from enthusiastic Austrians.
On April 10, 1938, the Nazis organised a referendum to legitimise their military action. More than 99% of the Austrian population voted in favour of the Anschluss, or the unification of Austria with Germany. However, it is important to note that the vote was not anonymous, and opponents did not dare vote against it. Additionally, Austrian Jews, Roma, and political opponents of the Nazis were forbidden from voting.
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German troops cross the border
On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed the Austrian border to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany.
The invasion commenced in the early hours of the morning, at around 5 am. The 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht was welcomed by enthusiastic crowds, with Austrian civilians cheering and presenting soldiers with flowers. There was no armed resistance to the invasion.
Hitler accompanied his troops into Austria, and a new Nazi government was appointed, led by Chancellor Arthur Seyss-Inquart. On March 13, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed, and a law called the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" was signed.
The annexation of Austria had been a long-standing goal for many Germans and Austrians, and it was supported by a significant number of people in both countries. A referendum held on April 10, 1938, indicated that over 99% of Austrian nationals supported the union with Nazi Germany. However, the validity of this result has been questioned due to the intimidation tactics employed by the Nazis and the exclusion of certain groups, such as Austrian Jews and political opponents, from the voting process.
The invasion of Austria was a significant event, as it marked the beginning of Nazi Germany's expansionist policies and the consolidation of power in the region. It also set a precedent for the subsequent invasion of other territories, such as the Sudetenland and Poland, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War II.
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The Austrian Nazi takeover
In 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government by force and unite with Germany. Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of annexation once and for all. However, before the vote could take place, Schuschnigg gave in to Hitler's demands and resigned on March 11, 1938. He was replaced by Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a pro-Nazi Austrian, who was appointed chancellor after midnight on March 12, 1938.
Hitler accompanied German troops into Austria on the morning of March 12, 1938. They were met with enthusiasm and cheers from the Austrian people, who welcomed them with flowers. Hitler appointed a new Nazi government, and on March 13, the Anschluss was proclaimed, incorporating Austria into the Greater German Reich. The Austrian Nazi Chancellor Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law.
A referendum held on April 10, 1938, indicated that 99% of Austrian nationals supported the union with Nazi Germany. However, this vote was not anonymous, and opponents did not dare vote against it. The true level of support for the Anschluss is uncertain, with Gestapo reports indicating lower levels of enthusiasm in Vienna and rural areas. Nevertheless, many Austrians actively participated in the Nazification of their country, with civil servants, soldiers, and police officers taking a public oath to Adolf Hitler.
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The Austrian public's response
On the morning of 12 March 1938, German troops crossed the Austrian border to annex the country for the Third Reich. This was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany, violating the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain.
The response of the Austrian public to the German annexation was mixed. Some Austrians welcomed the German troops with cheers and flowers, and Hitler was warmly received when he travelled to Linz and Vienna. The Nazi propaganda machine co-opted and mobilised various Austrian institutions and leaders, including the Austrian working class and the Catholic Church, to support the annexation.
A referendum was held on 10 April 1938, which resulted in 99% of the Austrian population voting in favour of the Anschluss. However, this vote was not anonymous, and opponents did not dare to vote against. Between 300,000 and 400,000 Austrian citizens, including Jews, Roma, and political opponents of the Nazis, were forbidden from participating in the referendum.
It is difficult to determine the true extent of Austrian support for the Anschluss. Gestapo reports indicate that only a quarter to a third of Austrian voters in Vienna were in favour, with support being even lower in rural areas. Estimates by the Austrian government and historians suggest that a majority of Austrians would have voted to preserve Austrian independence if the voting age had been lower than 24.
Many Austrians actively participated in the Nazification of their country, with civil servants, soldiers, and police officers taking a public oath to Adolf Hitler, often accompanied by parades. However, there were also Austrians who resisted the Nazis, with some continuing to carry out terrorist attacks against governmental institutions after the annexation.
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Frequently asked questions
German troops moved into Austria on March 12, 1938.
The German annexation of Austria was known as the Anschluss.
German troops entered Austria at around 5 a.m.
Austrians welcomed the German troops with enthusiasm, cheers and flowers.
On March 13, 1938, Austrian Nazi Chancellor Arthur Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law.
