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The Anschluss, which means connection or joining in German, refers to the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in 1938. This event is significant because it represented a violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly prohibited the unification of Austria and Germany. The idea of a united Austria and Germany, or Greater Germany, emerged after the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and Austrian Germans from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. While the Anschluss was welcomed by many Germans and Austrians who supported pan-Germanism, it forced many Austrians, especially those of Jewish origin, into exile and marked the beginning of a campaign against the Jews.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 11–13 March 1938 |
| Description | Annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany |
| German Translation | "Connection" or "Joining" |
| Violated Treaties | Treaty of Versailles, Treaty of Saint-Germain |
| Austrian Chancellor | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| Austrian Chancellor's Plebiscite Date | 9 March 1938 |
| Austrian Chancellor's Resignation Date | 11 March 1938 |
| Nazi Germany's Invasion Date | 12 March 1938 |
| Nazi Government in Austria Established | 13 March 1938 |
| Plebiscite Approval Percentage | 99.7% |
| Plebiscite Date | 10 April 1938 |
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What You'll Learn
Nazi Germany annexes Austria
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, known as the "Anschluss", first arose after the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and German Austrians. The proposal gained support in the 1920s, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center, as Austria experienced economic turmoil due to the Great Depression.
In 1933, Austrian Nazis attempted to seize the Austrian government by force and unite with Nazi Germany. However, the Austrian government responded by withdrawing from economic ties with Germany and suppressing Nazi supporters using police action. Despite this, the popularity of the Nazi Party in Austria grew, aided by Nazi propaganda campaigns.
On February 12, 1938, Hitler met with Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg and demanded that members of Austria's Nazi Party be appointed to his cabinet, threatening invasion otherwise. To avoid bloodshed, Schuschnigg cancelled a planned plebiscite on the issue of annexation and offered to resign on March 11. Hitler ordered the invasion to begin at dawn on March 12, and German troops marched into Austria, annexing the country for the Third Reich.
Hitler accompanied the troops and was met by enthusiastic crowds. He appointed a new Nazi government, and on March 13, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed. Austria became a province of Germany, existing as a federal state until the end of World War II, when the Allied powers reestablished its independence.
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Austria's loss of territory
During the Napoleonic Wars, Austria suffered several military defeats, resulting in the loss of territories through treaties such as Campo Formio in 1797, Luneville in 1801, Pressburg in 1806, and Schönbrunn in 1809. The Treaty of Pressburg, signed in 1805, was particularly significant, as Francis II ceded large amounts of territory to Napoleon's German allies and the French Satellite Kingdom of Italy, marking the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire.
In the 19th century, the Austrian Empire experienced both territorial gains and losses. The Congress of Vienna in 1815, led by Metternich, resulted in the expansion of Austrian influence into the German Confederation and Italy. However, the Austrian influence in Italy ended with the Franco-Austrian War in 1859, and the Austro-Prussian War in 1866 led to the loss of influence in most German-speaking lands. The Austrian Empire also faced internal tensions due to the diverse ethnic groups within its borders, including Hungarians, Slavs, Italians, and Romanians.
The establishment of Austria-Hungary in 1867, following the Austro-Hungarian Compromise, created a dual sovereignty between the Austrian Empire and the Kingdom of Hungary. Despite this, Austria continued to face territorial losses, such as the loss of Belgrade and other border territories in the war of 1737-1739 and the permanent loss of most of Silesia to the Prussians during the War of the Austrian Succession (1740-1748).
In the 20th century, Austria faced significant territorial changes, particularly with the rise of Nazi Germany. On March 11-13, 1938, Adolf Hitler annexed Austria, an event known as the Anschluss, or "joining" in German. This annexation was supported by a large majority of Austrians and transformed the country overnight. The Anschluss violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
Following World War II, Austria regained its independence and became the Second Austrian Republic in 1955. Today, the Second Republic of Austria includes lands that were added over time, with only two of the nine provinces strictly considered "Austria". The loss of territory has been a recurring theme in Austria's history, shaping its current geographical boundaries and political relationships with neighbouring countries.
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Support for Anschluss in Austria and Germany
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, known as Anschluss, gained support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. The new Republic of German-Austria attempted to unite with Germany, but the Treaty of Saint Germain and the Treaty of Versailles, which were signed in 1919, prohibited this union. These treaties also stripped Austria of some of its territories.
In the early 1920s, the proposal for Anschluss had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center. Otto Bauer, a prominent Social Democrat leader, was a vehement supporter of unification. Support for unification stemmed from the belief that Austria, having lost its imperial land, was not economically viable. However, popular support for unification faded over time, and by the end of 1933, Austrian public opinion about German annexation was mostly against it.
In the early 1930s, the Austrian government considered a customs union with the German Republic, but regional patriotism ultimately prevailed over pan-German sentiment. While many Austrians supported the idea of pan-Germanism, others remained loyal to the Habsburg monarchy and favoured Austrian independence. According to Jody Manning, unification with Germany was not overwhelmingly popular among Austrians in 1919, which is why no nationwide referendum was held.
Despite the existence of Austrian Nazis and their terrorist attacks, the Austrian government under Kurt Schuschnigg attempted to maintain independence. Schuschnigg called for a plebiscite (referendum) on Austrian independence, but the Germans pressured him to cancel the plebiscite and resign. On March 11, 1938, German troops crossed the Austrian border and were welcomed with cheers and flowers. The Austrian Nazi Chancellor, Arthur Seyss-Inquart, signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany.
On April 10, 1938, a plebiscite supervised by the German army was held, with 99.75% of Austrian voters supporting a union with Germany. This overwhelming support can be attributed to several factors, including the desire for improved material conditions, the belief in Hitler's economic achievements, and the opportunity to persecute the Jewish population. However, it is important to note that the plebiscite was conducted under Nazi occupation and may not have accurately reflected the will of the Austrian people.
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Violation of the Treaty of Versailles
The Anschluss ("connection" or "joining" in German) refers to the annexation of Austria by neighbouring Nazi Germany in 1938. This event is a violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919 between the victorious powers and defeated powers after World War I. The treaty was presented to the German delegation for signature on May 7, 1919, at the Palace of Versailles near Paris. The treaty held Germany responsible for starting World War I and liable for massive material damages. Germany lost 13% of its territory, including 10% of its population, and its overseas colonies. The treaty also required the demilitarization of the Rhineland and included a "'war guilt clause," which was particularly shameful for Germany.
On March 11-13, 1938, Nazi Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, annexed Austria. This annexation, known as the Anschluss, violated the Treaty of Versailles, which specifically prohibited the unification of Austria and Germany. The Anschluss demonstrated Nazi disdain for the post-World War I European order and was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany.
Factors Leading to the Anschluss
- Support for Unification: In the 1920s, the idea of unification had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly among Austrian citizens of the political left and center. This support was based on the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not economically viable as an independent state.
- Nazi Ideology: For the Nazis, the unification of Austria and Germany was an integral part of their "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept, which aimed to incorporate as many ethnic Germans outside Germany into a "Greater Germany."
- Austrian Government's Exploration of Unification: In the early 1930s, the Austrian government considered a possible customs union with the German Republic in 1931, reflecting the continued interest in unification.
- Nazi Propaganda and Pressure: In the lead-up to the Anschluss, the Nazis employed propaganda and pressure tactics. They manipulated plebiscites, used propaganda to influence voters, and pressured Austrian chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg to cancel a plebiscite on Austrian independence and resign.
- Appeasement by European Powers: The other European powers did not punish Nazi Germany for violating international treaties with the Anschluss. Their acceptance was a significant act of appeasement, enabling Hitler to continue his expansionist policies unchecked.
In conclusion, the Anschluss, or the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which aimed to prevent such a unification. This event marked the beginning of Nazi Germany's territorial expansion and was a significant step towards World War II.
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The idea of Anschluss
In the aftermath of World War I, the idea of unification with Germany remained a topic of discussion in Austria. The constitutions of the Weimar Republic and the First Austrian Republic both included the political goal of unification, and it was supported by many Austrian citizens, particularly those on the political left and center. One prominent supporter was the Social Democrat leader Otto Bauer, who served as Austria's Foreign Minister after the war. The main argument for unification was the belief that Austria, having lost its imperial lands, was not economically viable on its own. However, by the early 1930s, regional patriotism began to outweigh pan-German sentiment, and the idea of unification became less popular among the Austrian population.
The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany changed the dynamics of the unification debate in Austria. While Hitler had expressed his desire for an Austro-German union in his early writings and speeches, the Nazis' extreme ideology and aggressive foreign policy made the prospect of unification less attractive to many Austrians. The Austrian Nazi Party failed to win any seats in the 1930 general election, but its popularity grew after Hitler came to power, fueled by a propaganda campaign with slogans like "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer" ("One People, One Empire, One Leader"). Despite this, public opinion turned against the idea of German annexation by the end of 1933, with 60% of Austrians opposed, according to John Gunther.
In March 1938, Nazi Germany invaded Austria and completed the annexation, known as the Anschluss. This event transformed Austria, as Austrian Nazis worked with their German counterparts to Nazify all aspects of Austrian life. Austrians participated in the persecution of the country's Jewish population and later in World War II and the mass murder of Europe's Jews. The Anschluss was the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany and demonstrated their disregard for international treaties and the post-World War I European order.
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Frequently asked questions
The Anschluss, or the Annexation of Austria, was the political union of Austria with Germany, achieved through annexation by Adolf Hitler in 1938.
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, or a "Greater Germany", arose after the 1871 unification of Germany, which excluded Austria and German Austrians. The concept gained support after the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918.
The Anschluss was the first act of territorial aggression and expansion by Nazi Germany, marking a turning point for Austria's 200,000 Jews. It was also a watershed moment in Nazi Germany's foreign policy, as the international community did not intervene or punish Nazi Germany for violating international treaties.
