Lexi Webster
Austria was liberated from Germany on 27 April 1945, when Allied-occupied Austria declared independence from Nazi Germany. Nazi Germany's troops entering Austria in 1938 received the enthusiastic support of most of the population. Throughout World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces, and many Austrians participated in the Nazi administration. The liberation of Austria was extremely complicated, with the Soviets dismantling and confiscating industrial equipment valued at around $500 million, and the Americans pushing back.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of liberation | 27 April 1945 |
| Country liberated from | Nazi Germany |
| Governing body at the time of liberation | Allied-occupied Austria |
| Previous date of annexation | 13 March 1938 |
| Length of annexation | 7 years, 1 month, 12 days |
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What You'll Learn
- Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945
- Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg resigned on 11 March 1938
- On 12 March 1938, Hitler entered Austria with German troops
- The Anschluss was proclaimed on 13 March 1938
- Austria was liberated by the Allies, unlike conquered Germany
Austria was part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945
Austria was a part of Nazi Germany from 13 March 1938 until 27 April 1945. This period was known as the Anschluss, during which Austria existed as a federal state of Germany. The annexation of Austria by Germany was the culmination of a conspiracy by Austrian Nazis to seize the Austrian government and unite the two nations. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to resist this conspiracy by meeting with Adolf Hitler, but he was coerced into naming top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet and eventually resigning on 11 March 1938.
Hitler entered Austria with German troops on 12 March 1938, where they were greeted by enthusiastic crowds. A Nazi government was established in Austria, headed by Seyss-Inquart, which collaborated with Hitler. During this time, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces, and other Austrians participated in the Nazi administration, including senior Nazi leadership. The majority of the bureaucrats who implemented the Final Solution were Austrian.
Antisemitism was particularly virulent and violent in Austria, and the Viennese events during Kristallnacht in November 1938 demonstrated this. The "Viennese model" became the basis for the Nazis' expulsion of Jews from Germany and German-occupied countries. By the start of World War II in 1939, more than 100,000 Jews, roughly half of all Austrian Jews, had fled the country.
During World War II, compulsory labour on a massive scale was brought to Austria, with foreign workers and concentration camp inmates forced to work in industry and agriculture. While most Austrians were not Nazis, popular support for Germany's wartime policies remained strong until the later phases of the war. The Austrian resistance was small but not negligible, with left-wing resistance groups (mostly communists and some socialists) and conservative resisters (mainly Christian Socialists and monarchists) both active.
After the war, many Austrians sought comfort in the myth of Austria as the first victim of the Nazis. While the Nazi Party was banned in Austria, the country did not undergo the same thorough denazification process as post-war Germany. Austria was considered a liberated country by the Allies, and this status allowed for more freedom in the press and Austrian initiatives.
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Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg resigned on 11 March 1938
In the lead up to his resignation, Schuschnigg made several attempts to maintain Austria's sovereignty. On 12 February 1938, he met with Hitler near Berchtesgaden to negotiate the German-Austrian question. During these negotiations, Hitler continuously threatened Schuschnigg with an immediate invasion of German troops. Schuschnigg was forced to make concessions, including reversing the ban on the Nazi Party in Austria and appointing Arthur Seyss-Inquart as Minister of the Interior and Security. Despite his efforts, Schuschnigg's position became increasingly untenable as the Nazis conspired to seize control of the Austrian government.
On 24 February 1938, Schuschnigg delivered a passionate speech before the Federal Assembly, emphasising the absoluteness of Austrian sovereignty and his commitment to maintaining independence. However, his efforts were ultimately in vain. On 9 March, Schuschnigg announced a referendum on the Austrian annexation to the German Reich, which was set for 13 March. Before the referendum could take place, Schuschnigg succumbed to pressure from Hitler and resigned on 11 March. In his resignation address, he pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" and ended with the words, "God save Austria!".
Schuschnigg's resignation marked a significant turning point in Austrian history. The very next day, 12 March, Hitler accompanied German troops into Austria, where they were met with enthusiasm by the Austrian people. This event, known as the "Anschluss", resulted in Austria becoming a part of Nazi Germany until the end of World War II. Schuschnigg himself was placed under house arrest on 12 March and later imprisoned. He was eventually liberated in 1945 by the advancing United States Army and emigrated to the United States, where he became a professor of political science.
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On 12 March 1938, Hitler entered Austria with German troops
On March 12, 1938, Adolf Hitler entered Austria, accompanied by German troops. This event, known as the Anschluss, marked the unification of Austria with Nazi Germany and the beginning of the Nazi regime's control over the country. The annexation of Austria had been a long-standing goal of Hitler and the Nazi Party, who sought to unite all Germans into one nation-state. In the years leading up to the annexation, there were increasing tensions and acts of violence in Austria between various political groups, including the Austrian Nazis, who sought to unite with Germany.
In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government by force and unite with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, in an attempt to maintain Austria's sovereignty, met with Hitler to assert his country's independence. However, he was coerced into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. On March 9, Schuschnigg called for a national referendum to be held on March 13 to decide the question of annexation once and for all.
Fearing that the referendum would not go in his favour, Hitler threatened to invade Austria and demanded Schuschnigg's resignation. Under pressure, Schuschnigg resigned on March 11, pleading with Austrian forces not to resist a German "advance" into the country. The next day, Hitler entered Austria with German troops, greeted by cheering Austrians with Nazi salutes, flags, and flowers. Hitler appointed a new Nazi government, and on March 13, the annexation of Austria was officially proclaimed.
Austria existed as a federal state of Germany throughout World War II. During this time, thousands of Austrians tried to escape, while others collaborated with the Nazi regime. After the war, the Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and reestablished an independent Austria, liberating the country from Nazi rule.
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The Anschluss was proclaimed on 13 March 1938
The Anschluss, which led to Austria becoming a federal state of Germany, was proclaimed on 13 March 1938. The term 'Anschluss' translates to 'union' or 'joining' and refers to the political union of Austria with Germany. The annexation of Austria was a goal of Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party, which had gained support in Austria throughout the 1930s.
In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, who had initially tried to assert his country's independence, was pressured into naming Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. He eventually called for a referendum on the issue of annexation, which was to be held on 13 March 1938. However, before the referendum could take place, Schuschnigg resigned on 11 March, under coercion from Hitler and the Nazis. He pleaded with Austrian forces not to resist a German invasion.
On 12 March, German troops entered Austria, where they were met with enthusiasm by crowds of Austrian Nazis. The next day, 13 March, Hitler appointed a new Nazi government in Austria, and the Anschluss was proclaimed. This was followed by a sham referendum on 10 April 1938, which officially reported 99.73% approval, though the secrecy of the ballot was non-existent, and the result was likely manipulated through threats and coercion.
The annexation of Austria demonstrated Hitler's aggressive territorial ambitions and his disregard for the Versailles Treaty. It also marked the beginning of a campaign against the Jews in Austria, who were driven through the streets, had their homes and shops plundered, and were forced to perform degrading tasks. Jews were driven out of public life and, within months, many were arrested and deported to concentration camps.
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Austria was liberated by the Allies, unlike conquered Germany
Austria was liberated from Germany on 27 April 1945, when Allied-occupied Austria declared independence from Nazi Germany. This marked the end of Austria's existence as a federal state of Germany, which had been in place since 13 March 1938, an event known as the Anschluss.
The liberation of Austria by the Allies, including the British, French, Russians, and Americans, stands in contrast to the conquered status of Germany. This distinction is significant, as it shaped the post-war treatment and policies imposed on the two countries. In the case of Germany, a non-fraternization policy was implemented, reflecting a stern attitude from the Allies. On the other hand, Austria enjoyed more freedom and flexibility due to its liberated status.
The Allies' decision to liberate Austria was of considerable importance to Western Europeans. It demonstrated a commitment to countering Russian influence and assuring Europeans of American support. This was particularly crucial in the context of the Cold War, where the fight for Austria's independence became increasingly complex. The Americans, through figures like American High Commissioner Mark W. Clark, pushed back against Soviet attempts to exert control over Austria, such as the confiscation of "German external assets" and the seizure of media outlets.
Austria's liberation also brought to light the country's complex relationship with Nazism before and during World War II. While many Austrians supported the Anschluss and enthusiastically welcomed Nazi rule, there were also Austrians who resisted and fought against Nazi ideology. The lack of a thorough denazification process in Austria, compared to Germany, led to factions within Austrian society promoting the narrative of Austria as the first victim of the Nazis.
In summary, the liberation of Austria by the Allies, in contrast to the conquered status of Germany, had far-reaching implications. It influenced post-war policies, shaped international relations during the Cold War, and brought attention to Austria's complex history with Nazism. The Allies' decision to liberate Austria played a crucial role in shaping the country's future and its relationship with Europe and the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria became a part of Nazi Germany on March 13, 1938, an event known as the Anschluss.
Anschluss means "annexation".
Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg tried to resist the Nazis and maintain his country's independence. However, he was coerced into naming top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet and eventually resigned on March 11, 1938.
On March 12, 1938, Hitler entered Austria along with German troops, who were welcomed by enthusiastic crowds. A Nazi government was established in Austria, headed by Seyss-Inquart.
Austria was liberated from Germany on April 27, 1945, when Allied-occupied Austria declared independence from Nazi Germany.
