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On March 12, 1938, German troops invaded Austria, marking the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany. This event, known as the Anschluss, saw the unification of Austria and Germany, despite the prohibition of such an act in the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain. The invasion was incited by the Austrian Nazis, who conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany. In the face of German pressure, Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg resigned, and Austrian forces were instructed not to resist the German advance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of invasion | 12 March 1938 |
| Number of troops | 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht |
| German leader | Adolf Hitler |
| Austrian leader | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| German chancellor | Arthur Seyss-Inquart |
| Austrian chancellor | Wilhelm Miklas |
| German ambassador to Austria | Franz von Papen |
| Year of German Four Year Plan | 1936 |
| Year of German annexation of Austria | 1938 |
| German troops' entry point into Austria | Braunau am Inn |
| Austrian city where Hitler arrived | Linz |
| Number of people who gathered in Linz to meet Hitler | 250,000 |
| German goal during invasion | Annex Austria into the German Reich |
| German troops' marching order given by | Hitler |
| German troops' marching order conveyed by | Goering |
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What You'll Learn
Hitler's ultimatum to Schuschnigg
On March 11, 1938, Hitler sent an ultimatum to Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, demanding that he hand over all power to the Austrian Nazis or face a German invasion. Schuschnigg, who had been working to maintain Austria's independence, was given an ultimatum that expired at noon, but it was extended by two hours.
Hitler's ultimatum came after years of increasing Nazi influence in Austria and Schuschnigg's failed attempts to counterbalance the German threat by aligning with Italy and Hungary. Despite Schuschnigg's efforts, including the release of imprisoned Nazis and the inclusion of Nazis in the Austrian cabinet, Hitler's demands for unification only grew stronger.
Faced with the ultimatum, Schuschnigg desperately sought support for Austrian independence from France and Britain but to no avail. Realizing that he had no backing, Schuschnigg resigned on the evening of March 11, 1938, but President Wilhelm Miklas refused to appoint the Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart as the new chancellor as Hitler had demanded. Undeterred, Hitler ordered the invasion to commence at dawn on March 12, 1938, and the German army crossed the border into Austria, unopposed by the Austrian military.
The annexation of Austria, known as the "Anschluss", was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany. It marked the unification of Austria and Germany into a "Greater Germany", which had been a long-standing goal of the Nazi regime. Despite the surprise and swiftness of the invasion, there had been clear indications of Hitler's intentions for several years, and the Nazis had been cultivating pro-unification sentiments in Austria.
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The Blumenkrieg (Flower War)
On the morning of March 12, 1938, the 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht crossed the border into Austria. The troops were met by cheering Austrians who greeted them with Nazi salutes, Nazi flags, and flowers. This "invasion" without any shots fired was dubbed the Blumenkrieg ("Flower War"). The Austrian government had ordered the Austrian Bundesheer not to resist, and so the German troops faced no opposition.
The Blumenkrieg marked the first significant test of the Wehrmacht's machinery. Despite poor organization and a lack of coordination among the invading units, the outcome was never in doubt due to the absence of resistance. That afternoon, Adolf Hitler crossed the border at his birthplace, Braunau am Inn, with a 4,000-man bodyguard. He arrived in Linz to an enthusiastic welcome from 250,000 Austrians who had gathered to support the Anschluss, or union, with Germany.
The Blumenkrieg was a stark contrast to the typical warfare of the time, much like the flower wars of the Aztecs, which were ritualistic conflicts fought intermittently between the Aztec Triple Alliance and its enemies in central Mexico. These wars were fought according to a set of conventions and served a religious purpose, as the Aztecs believed they could appease their gods and end a famine through human sacrifice. Similarly, the Blumenkrieg was a bloodless conflict that served a political purpose, as it facilitated the union of Austria and Germany, which had been a goal of the pro-German Austrian Nazis.
The Blumenkrieg, however, was not indicative of widespread support for the Anschluss in Austria. Despite the enthusiastic welcome Hitler received in Linz, it is doubtful that a qualified majority of Austrians supported the union. Evidence suggests that the pro-Anschluss movement may have only had slim majority support, and the movement's strength was further called into question by the leader of the Social Democratic Party, Otto Bauer, who acknowledged the desire for an independent Austria among the bourgeoisie and peasantry.
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Austria's violation of the Treaty of Versailles
On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed the border into Austria, marking the beginning of the so-called "Blumenkrieg" ("Flower War"). This invasion, which was greeted by cheering Austrians with Nazi salutes and flowers, resulted in the incorporation of Austria into the German Reich, known as the Anschluss.
The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919, played a significant role in shaping the relationship between Germany and Austria in the lead-up to the Anschluss. The treaty, imposed by the victorious Western powers (Great Britain, the United States, France, and Italy) on the defeated Central Powers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary), had far-reaching consequences for both countries.
Austria, as part of Austria-Hungary, was subject to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which included provisions for the independence of Austria. Article 88 of the Treaty of Peace with Austria, for example, stated that "the independence of Austria is inalienable otherwise than with the consent of the Council of the League of Nations." This was further emphasized by Protocol No. I of October 3, 1922, which guaranteed Austria's political independence, territorial integrity, and sovereignty.
However, in the years leading up to the Anschluss, there were several instances where Austria's actions appeared to violate the spirit of the Treaty of Versailles and the subsequent agreements affirming Austria's independence. For example, the Austro-German customs-union plan of 1931 raised concerns among the British and French governments, who questioned its compatibility with Austria's obligations to maintain its independence.
Additionally, the growing strength of pro-German National Socialists in Austria, supported by Germany, posed a significant threat to Austria's sovereignty. On July 11, 1936, Germany and Austria signed an agreement in which Austria was recognized as a German state that would follow Germany's lead in foreign policy. This agreement, which was supposed to assure Austria's sovereignty, ultimately failed to satisfy Hitler, and the pro-German Austrian Nazis continued to gain influence.
By 1938, the Austrian government was facing increasing pressure from the National Socialists and the German government, leading to the ultimatum delivered by Hitler to Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg on March 11, 1938. Demanding that Schuschnigg hand over power to the Austrian Nazis, Hitler threatened an invasion. Despite Schuschnigg's resignation, German troops entered Austria the next day, effectively ending Austrian independence and marking a significant violation of the Treaty of Versailles and subsequent agreements.
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Hitler's appointment of a new Nazi government
Germany's invasion of Austria in 1938 was the culmination of years of political turmoil and rising extremism in both countries. The appointment of Hitler as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 marked the beginning of a new Nazi government that would transform the nation and plunge Europe into darkness.
By the early 1930s, Germany was in a state of political and economic crisis. The global economic crisis had hit the country hard, and millions of Germans were out of work. The democratic government struggled to maintain stability, and cabinets fell one after the other. This turmoil provided fertile ground for extremist ideologies, and the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, began to gain traction.
Hitler's rise to power began in the early 1920s, when he joined the fledgling German Workers' Party. In 1923, he led a failed coup attempt known as the Beer Hall Putsch, which resulted in a brief prison sentence. During his incarceration, he wrote "Mein Kampf," outlining his plans for Germany. Upon his release, Hitler committed to gaining power through legal means, and the Nazis began to campaign in elections.
The Nazis' major breakthrough came in the 1930 national parliamentary elections, where they won 18% of the vote. This shocked many Germans, as the party was still considered extremist and fringe. However, the Nazis continued to gain support, especially among those who felt let down by the established parties. Hitler's image as a strong leader and the party's focus on uniting all Germans appealed to a broad spectrum of voters.
In the July 1932 federal election, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag, but they fell short of an absolute majority. Hitler ran for the presidency later that year but was defeated by Paul von Hindenburg. Despite their differences, Hindenburg was eventually pressured by conservative politicians to appoint Hitler as Chancellor on January 30, 1933. This appointment marked the beginning of Hitler's "seizure of power," as the Nazis celebrated with torchlit parades in Berlin.
Hitler's new government quickly set about consolidating power. Non-Nazi parties were outlawed in July 1933, and the Reichstag abdicated its democratic responsibilities. The burning of the Reichstag in February 1933 provided a pretext for Hitler to convince Hindenburg to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree, curtailing civil liberties. By 1934, after Hindenburg's death, Hitler had achieved full dictatorial power, combining the positions of President and Chancellor.
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The Nazification of Austria
On March 12, 1938, German troops crossed the border into Austria, marking the beginning of the country's annexation into the German Reich, known as the Anschluss. This event was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by the Nazi German regime, and it transformed Austria almost overnight. The country of Austria ceased to exist, and Austrian and German Nazis worked together to rapidly nazify all aspects of Austrian life.
The invasion, dubbed the Blumenkrieg ("Flower War") due to the lack of resistance, was met with enthusiasm from many Austrians. However, the sparse evidence available suggests that the pro-Anschluss movement may have only had slim majority support. The plebiscite held on April 10, 1938, to unite with Nazi Germany recorded a vote of more than 99% in favour. However, this referendum was propaganda, and between 300,000 and 400,000 Austrian citizens, including Jews, Roma, and political opponents of the Nazis, were forbidden to vote.
In the wake of the Anschluss, Austrians participated in the persecution of the country's Jewish population, enacted Nazi policies, and fought in World War II. They also played a role in the mass murder of Europe's Jews. Many Austrians, especially those of Jewish origin, were forced into exile, and those who remained faced degradation, threats, and confiscation of their property. The rapid nazification of Austria was facilitated by the support and participation of Austrian civil servants, soldiers, and police officers, who took a public oath to Adolf Hitler, often accompanied by parades and celebrations.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany invaded Austria on March 12, 1938.
The invasion of Austria by Germany was known as the Anschluss.
Adolf Hitler was the leader of Germany during the invasion of Austria.
While some Austrians wanted to unite with Germany, it is doubtful that a qualified majority of Austrians supported the Anschluss.
Yes, by annexing Austria, Germany violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of the two countries.
