Leslie Massey
Germany and Austria have a shared history that dates back to the Holy Roman Empire, which included the Kingdom of Germany and the Duchy of Bavaria, which would become Austria in c. 970. In 1804, the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II proclaimed the Austrian Empire, and in 1815, after Napoleon's defeat, Austria created the German Confederation as a new organisation among the German states, in which Austria and Prussia reunited. In 1871, the unification of Germany excluded Austria and the German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire, and the idea of 'Anschluss' or the annexation of Austria into Germany, arose. In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich, and Austria became part of Germany. This annexation was reversed in 1945, and Austria claimed independence from Germany on 27 April 1945.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Reunification | 12 March 1938 |
| Reason | Annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany |
| Other Names | Anschluss, Anschluß Österreichs |
| Translation | Joining or connection |
| Treaty Violations | Treaty of Versailles, Treaty of Saint Germain |
| Plebiscite | 99% in favour of Anschluss |
| Austria's Jews | Persecuted, murdered in the Holocaust |
| Reversal | 1945 |
| Austria's Reaction | Austrian left circles vehemently opposed Anschluss |
| Austria's Independence | Regained in April 1945 |
| Austria-Germany Relations | Close due to shared history |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria and Germany were reunited in 1815 after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire
- The unification of Germany in 1871 excluded Austria
- Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss
- Austria was under Allied control and separated from Germany in 1945
- Austria and Germany are now both members of the European Union
Austria and Germany were reunited in 1815 after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire
Austria and Germany share a long and complex history, with several periods of unity and separation. One notable period of reunification occurred in 1815 after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire during the Napoleonic Wars.
The Holy Roman Empire, which included various German states and was predominantly led by Austria, came to an end during the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. During this time, Austria and Prussia were allies but were ultimately defeated by the French Empire under Napoleon. In 1804, Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor, proclaimed the Austrian Empire as the remaining German states had fallen under the influence of Napoleon's French Empire through the Confederation of the Rhine.
Following Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria took the initiative to create the German Confederation as a new organization among the German states. This period marked the reunification of Austria and Prussia, and it witnessed the rise of Pan-Germanism. However, the German Confederation lacked a strong central authority, and the dualism within it led to diplomatic tensions between Prussia and Austria. Both nations aspired to create a unified Germany but disagreed on the approach.
The idea of a unified Germany, including Austria, faced challenges due to the emergence of Prussia as a significant power in the 18th century. Prussia's influence became evident during the Partitions of Poland, the War of the Austrian Succession, and the Seven Years' War under Frederick the Great. In response to Prussia's growing strength, Maria Theresa and Joseph attempted to restore Habsburg hegemony within the Holy Roman Empire, leading to counteractions by Prussia, such as the creation of the Fürstenbund (Union of Princes) in 1785.
The complexities of the relationship between Austria and Prussia, and their competing visions for a unified Germany, set the stage for subsequent developments in their shared history. The desire for unification among Germans living outside of Germany, particularly in the former Austro-Hungarian Empire, further fueled the idea of a "Greater Germany." However, the unification of various states into one nation required more than military victories; it entailed a rethinking of political, social, and cultural identities.
In summary, Austria and Germany were reunited in 1815 through the formation of the German Confederation after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire. This reunification was short-lived due to diplomatic tensions and competing visions for a unified Germany, leading to future developments that shaped the relationship between these two nations.
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The unification of Germany in 1871 excluded Austria
In the 19th century, Prussia and Austria were both vying for dominance over the German states. The Congress of Vienna in 1815 established a confederation of German states under the leadership of the Austrian Empire, which suppressed expressions of German nationalism to maintain its influence. However, Prussia's emergence as a powerful state in the 18th century and its impressive military victories in the 1800s challenged Austrian dominance.
Otto von Bismarck, the Prime Minister of Prussia, played a pivotal role in shaping the unification of Germany. He provoked three decisive wars against Denmark, Austria, and France, aligning the smaller German states behind Prussia. The victory over Austria in the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 marked a turning point, as Prussia began to assert its authority over the German states. Bismarck formed the North German Confederation, which included most German states except Austria.
The Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) further solidified Prussia's leadership position. Through diplomatic maneuvering and military strength, Bismarck convinced the southwestern German states to side with Prussia against France. The quick Prussian victory in this war demonstrated its military prowess and ability to protect the German states.
The unification of Germany in 1871, known as the "Kleindeutsch" solution or "Lesser German Solution," excluded Austria and its German-speaking part. This unification created a Prussian-dominated German Empire with 25 constituent states and one imperial territory. It established a federalist structure, significantly extending the federal German lands and altering the political landscape of Europe.
The exclusion of Austria from the unification of Germany in 1871 had lasting implications. It gave rise to the idea of Anschluss, or the annexation of Austria into Germany, which was later realized under Nazi Germany in 1938. The unification of Germany without Austria also ensured that the unified nation would have a substantial Protestant majority.
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Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss
Austria and Germany have a shared history, with German being the official language of both countries and Germans being the majority ethnic group in both. In the early history of these nations, the Germanic Baiuvarii (or ancient German Bavarians) established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included the March of Pannonia, which became Austria around the year 970. From 843 to 962, Bavarian Austria was under East Francia (the Kingdom of Germany). It then separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156. From 1156 to 1806, Austria (not including its non-German lands) and other German states were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself.
In the 1930s, Nazi Germany pursued an aggressive foreign policy, which culminated in World War II in 1939. This prewar territorial expansion brought millions of Jewish people under German control. On March 11-13, 1938, Nazi Germany annexed neighbouring Austria. This event is known as the Anschluss, which translates to "connection", "joining", "unification", or "political union". The annexation was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion.
In the lead-up to the annexation, Austrian Nazis had been pushing for unification with Germany. In 1933, Austrian public opinion about German annexation was at least 60% against. However, by 1938, Austrian Nazis had made several attempts to seize the Austrian government by force. In 1934, they assassinated Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss in a failed coup attempt. In 1936, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg was pressured by Hitler into accepting Nazi ministers into his government. Despite calling for a plebiscite on the issue of annexation, Schuschnigg ultimately cancelled the vote and resigned on March 11, 1938, under pressure from Hitler. The next day, German troops marched into Austria, and on March 13, Austrian Nazi Chancellor Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany.
The annexation was widely popular in both Germany and Austria, and Hitler was enthusiastically welcomed during his triumphal tour of Austria. However, it also resulted in an outburst of public violence against Austria's Jewish population. The Anschluss was reversed in 1945, and Austria was occupied by the Allies separately from Germany until 1955, when it officially regained its independence.
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Austria was under Allied control and separated from Germany in 1945
Austria and Germany have a shared history that dates back centuries. In 1938, Austria and Germany were forcibly united under Nazi rule, despite this being prohibited by the Versailles and St. Germain treaties. This unification, known as the Anschluss, saw Austria become a province of Nazi Germany, with Austrian Nazis attempting to seize the Austrian government. The Anschluss was met with little resistance, with German troops being welcomed with cheers and flowers as they crossed the border.
However, in 1945, the Allies reversed the Anschluss and separated Austria from Germany. On April 27, 1945, Austria was declared independent from Nazi Germany by the Allies, who had occupied the country since the Vienna Offensive. This declaration was confirmed by the Berlin Declaration for Germany on June 5, 1945. The Allies, consisting of the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, the United States, and France, jointly occupied Austria and divided it into four occupation zones. The capital, Vienna, was similarly subdivided, with the central district being collectively administered by the Allied Control Council.
The Soviet Union played a significant role in the liberation of Austria, with Soviet troops crossing the former Austrian border in March 1945 and capturing Vienna. The Soviets, along with the other Allied forces, remained in Austria until 1955, when they withdrew in exchange for Austria's promise to remain neutral during the Cold War. The occupation ended with the Austrian State Treaty, which came into force on July 27, 1955, officially ending the Allied control over Austria and reaffirming its independence.
The period of Allied control in Austria was marked by political and social upheaval. The Communist Party of Austria struggled to gain support, receiving only around 5% of the vote in the November 1945 parliamentary election. Meanwhile, the country was governed by a coalition of traditional center-left and center-right Austrian parties, the Social Democrats, and Christian Democrats. The Allies gradually loosened their control, with the Second Control Agreement in 1946 allowing for more independence in the Austrian parliament.
In summary, Austria's separation from Germany in 1945 under Allied control was a significant event that led to the country's regained independence and the establishment of a new government. The period of Allied control was a transitional phase that allowed Austria to emerge from the shadow of Nazi rule and begin its path towards a democratic and neutral future.
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Austria and Germany are now both members of the European Union
Austria and Germany have a shared history that dates back to the early Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians). In the 9th century, Bavarian Austria came under East Francia (the Kingdom of Germany), and from 1156 to 1806, Austria and other German states were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was mostly led by Austria itself. The Holy Roman Empire came to an end during the Napoleonic Wars in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, and in 1804, Francis II, the Holy Roman Emperor, proclaimed the Austrian Empire. After Napoleon's defeat in 1815, Austria created the German Confederation as a new organisation among the German states, in which Austria and Prussia reunited. However, the German Confederation lacked a unifying force, and tensions arose between Prussia and Austria, who had different proposals for creating a unified Germany.
In the 19th century, the idea of a Greater Germany emerged, which included Austria, but the unification of Germany in 1871 ultimately excluded Austria and the German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. This exclusion sparked discussions about Austria's role in a German nation-state, and after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, the new Republic of German-Austria attempted to unite with Germany. However, the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint Germain not only forbade this union but also prohibited the use of the name "German-Austria."
In the 1930s, Austrian Nazis attempted to seize the Austrian government and unite the nation with Nazi Germany. On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, annexing the country for the Third Reich. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint Germain and marked the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany. Despite some opposition, many Austrians participated in the Nazification of their country, and the Austrian Jews fell under Nazi control, with most being murdered in the Holocaust.
During World War II, the Allies removed Austria from the Third German Reich, and in 1945, Austria declared its independence from Germany. After the war, Austria was occupied by the Allies until 1955, when it gained independence through the Austrian State Treaty, which also banned the reunification of Germany and Austria. In 1990, West Germany and East Germany were reunited, and in 1995, Austria joined the European Union, making both Austria and Germany members of the EU. While Germany is a member of NATO, Austria maintains its constitutional requirement of neutrality and is not a NATO member.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany and Austria have never reunited. In fact, Austria was forcibly separated from Germany in 1945 by the Allied Powers.
Yes, on March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This unification was known as the Anschluss.
The unification was supported by Austrian Nazis and many Austrians who participated in the Nazification of their country. However, Austrian socialists and left circles vehemently opposed the unification.
Yes, the unification violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
No, the other European powers did not punish Germany for violating the international treaties. Their acceptance of the unification was a significant act of appeasement.
