Lexi Webster
The German annexation of Austria and Czechoslovakia, which occurred in 1938 and 1939 respectively, was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II. The annexation, known as the Anschluss in the case of Austria, was part of Hitler's aggressive territorial ambitions and marked the beginning of his expansionist policy. The occupation of Czechoslovakia began with the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region within Czechoslovakia, and by the end of 1939, Czechoslovakia had completely disappeared from the map. The British and French governments, initially committed to avoiding war, failed to take decisive action to prevent these annexations, despite their violations of the Treaty of Versailles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of German annexation of Austria | March 1938 |
| German annexation of Austria also known as | Anschluss |
| Austria's chancellor and dictator before German annexation | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| Austria's chancellor after German annexation | Seyss-Inquart |
| Date of German annexation of Sudetenland, Czechoslovakia | 1 October 1938 |
| Date of German occupation of rest of Czechoslovakia | March 1939 |
| Date Czechoslovakia disappeared from the map | End of 1939 |
| Date of German invasion of Poland | 1 September 1939 |
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What You'll Learn
- Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938 was known as the Anschluss
- The Anschluss was supported by Austrians who wanted unification with Germany
- The British and French failed to act against Germany's violation of the Versailles Treaty
- Germany's occupation of Czechoslovakia began with the annexation of Sudetenland in 1938
- The Munich Pact of 1938 handed Czechoslovakia to Germany, despite attempts to prevent it
Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938 was known as the Anschluss
The annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938 was known as the Anschluss, which translates to "connection", "joining", "unification", or "political union". The Anschluss was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by the Nazi German regime, which had been pursuing an aggressive foreign policy throughout the 1930s.
The idea of uniting Austria and Germany was not new, with discussions and debates about Austria's role in a German nation-state dating back to the 19th century. After the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I, many Austrians did not believe their country could survive economically without the lands previously held by the empire. Some Austrians hoped to restore a form of the empire, while others wanted to unite with Germany.
In the 1930s, Nazi Germany's aggressive foreign policy and Austria's economic struggles led to a push for unification. In July 1936, Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg signed an agreement with the German ambassador, agreeing to release Nazis imprisoned in Austria and promising Germany would respect Austrian sovereignty. However, Hitler had already stated in 1937 that Austria would eventually have to be taken "by force".
In February 1938, Hitler invited Schuschnigg to Germany and forced him to agree to give the Austrian Nazis more power. Schuschnigg called a plebiscite (referendum) on Austrian independence, which was scheduled for March 13, 1938. However, on March 11, the Germans pressured Schuschnigg to cancel the plebiscite and resign. German troops crossed the border early on March 12, and the annexation was officially declared on March 13, 1938, with the support of many Austrians.
The Anschluss was a significant breach of the post-World War I international order and led to an outburst of public violence against Austria's Jewish population. It also set a precedent for further Nazi territorial aggression, with Hitler targeting Czechoslovakia next, leading to the Munich Agreement in September 1938 and the occupation of Czech lands in March 1939.
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The Anschluss was supported by Austrians who wanted unification with Germany
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, known as the "Anschluss", was not a new one when it was finally achieved in 1938. The concept dated back to the 19th century and gained support after the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I in 1918. The new Republic of German-Austria attempted to unite with Germany, but the Treaty of Saint Germain and the Treaty of Versailles in 1919 prohibited this and stripped Austria of some of its territories.
Despite the prohibition, the idea of unification remained popular in Austria, particularly among Austrian Social Democrats and pan-German nationalists. In the early 1930s, the Austrian government explored the possibility of a customs union with Germany in 1931. Hugo Preuss, the drafter of the German Weimar Constitution, criticised efforts to prevent the Anschluss, seeing the prohibition as a contradiction of the Wilsonian principle of self-determination.
In 1932, John Gunther asserted that "Austria was probably eighty percent pro-Anschluss". However, by the end of 1933, Austrian public opinion had shifted, and support for German annexation was at least 60% against. Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to assert Austrian independence and called for a plebiscite (referendum) on the matter in 1938. However, he was pressured to cancel the plebiscite and resigned.
After Schuschnigg's resignation, footage from German newsreels and propaganda showed pro-Nazi residents in Graz and other Austrian cities celebrating the union with Germany. When German troops crossed the border, they were met with cheers and flowers, and Hitler was warmly welcomed in Austrian cities. An official plebiscite was held in April 1938, which resulted in a 99.7% approval for unification, although this vote was likely influenced by Nazi propaganda and coercion.
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The British and French failed to act against Germany's violation of the Versailles Treaty
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, was the primary treaty produced by the Paris Peace Conference at the end of World War I. The treaty imposed harsh reparations on Germany, created an increasingly unstable collection of smaller nations in Europe, and placed the burden of war guilt entirely on Germany. While the treaty was intended to prevent another global conflict, it ultimately failed to resolve the underlying issues that caused World War I and paved the way for World War II.
In the years leading up to World War II, Germany began to violate the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. One significant violation was the remilitarization of the Rhineland in March 1936, when 18,000 German troops entered the region, violating the demilitarized zone established by the treaty. This violation went unchallenged by Britain and France, who did not enforce the treaty provisions.
Another violation of the Treaty of Versailles occurred in 1938 when Germany annexed Austria, marking a significant breach of the post-World War I international order. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, took place over three days in March 1938 and was achieved through a combination of propaganda, political maneuvering, and the threat of force. The British and French failed to act against this violation, with Schuschnigg, the Austrian chancellor, realizing that neither country was willing to offer assistance.
Following the annexation of Austria, Hitler set his sights on Czechoslovakia, provoking another international crisis. In September 1938, the Munich Agreement was signed, ceding the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Germany. This agreement was signed by Hitler, Mussolini, French Premier Edouard Daladier, and British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, effectively handing over a significant portion of Czechoslovakia's resources and leaving the country vulnerable to complete German domination.
In March 1939, Germany broke the agreement by occupying the rest of Czechoslovakia, including Prague. This occupation represented a clear violation of the Munich Agreement and a further breach of the Treaty of Versailles. Despite this, Britain and France did not take any significant action to counter Germany's aggression, allowing the violation to go unchallenged.
In conclusion, the British and French failure to act against Germany's violation of the Treaty of Versailles in the lead-up to World War II had far-reaching consequences. Their inaction in response to Germany's remilitarization of the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria, and the occupation of Czechoslovakia emboldened Hitler and contributed to the outbreak of the war. The failure to enforce the treaty's provisions and hold Germany accountable for its violations ultimately undermined the stability and peace that the Treaty of Versailles had aimed to establish.
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Germany's occupation of Czechoslovakia began with the annexation of Sudetenland in 1938
The annexation of the Sudetenland left the rest of Czechoslovakia with a largely indefensible border. It also gave Germany control of key military defences in the area, making an invasion of the remaining Czechoslovakian territories considerably easier. Furthermore, the Sudetenland contained 66% of Czechoslovakia's coal, 70% of its iron and steel, and 70% of its electrical power, leaving the Czech nation vulnerable to complete German domination.
Hitler had been planning the annexation of Czechoslovakia as early as 1937, when he stated that economic problems were causing Germany to fall behind in the arms race with Britain and France. He believed that by seizing Austria and Czechoslovakia, he could plunder their economies and gain the lead in the arms race. In March 1938, Hitler made a speech aimed at the Germans living in Austria and Czechoslovakia, stating that "The German Reich is no longer willing to tolerate the suppression of ten million Germans across its borders."
Following the annexation of the Sudetenland, Hitler continued his occupation of Czechoslovakia. In March 1939, he met with the Czech President, Emil Hacha, and threatened a bombing raid on Prague unless he was allowed free passage for German troops into Czech borders. Slovakia, a region within Czechoslovakia, declared its "independence" on March 14, 1939, under pressure and the threat of invasion from Germany. On March 15, 1939, German troops invaded and occupied the remaining Czech provinces of Bohemia and Moravia, placing them under Nazi rule as the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.
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The Munich Pact of 1938 handed Czechoslovakia to Germany, despite attempts to prevent it
In the years following World War I, the idea of uniting Austria and Germany was a popular notion, particularly among Austrians who believed that their country could not survive economically without the lands previously held by Austria-Hungary. However, the French sought to forbid this union during the Paris Peace Conference, fearing that it would give Germany the opportunity to rebuild its strength. Despite these efforts, Germany successfully annexed Austria in 1938, marking a significant breach of the post-World War I international order.
Following the annexation, Hitler targeted Czechoslovakia, provoking an international crisis that led to the Munich Agreement in September 1938. The Munich Agreement was the result of an emergency meeting between the leaders of Germany, Great Britain, France, and Italy, without the inclusion of Czechoslovakia or the Soviet Union, an ally of Czechoslovakia. The agreement permitted the German annexation of the Sudetenland, a region in western Czechoslovakia with a predominantly ethnic German population. This decision was made despite the fact that the Sudetenland was of absolute strategic importance to Czechoslovakia, presenting a natural obstacle to a potential German attack.
Although the Munich Agreement was intended to prevent a larger war, it ultimately sealed the fate of Czechoslovakia. In March 1939, Hitler reneged on his promises to respect the integrity of Czechoslovakia, occupying the remainder of the country and creating the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. This action proved the futility of the Munich Pact, as Hitler's forces seized all of Czechoslovakia, achieving complete German domination.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany took over Austria on 12 March 1938.
The takeover of Austria by Germany was called the Anschluss, which means 'joining' or 'connection' in German.
It is doubtful that a majority of Austrians supported the unification of Austria and Germany. However, many Germans from both Austria and Germany welcomed the unification.
Germany took over Czechoslovakia in 1939.
The first step in Germany's takeover of Czechoslovakia was the annexation of the Sudetenland in 1938.
