Lyla Lindsey
Germany's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, occurred in March 1938. This event was influenced by several factors, including Austrian dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Saint Germain, a lack of consistent political and economic support from Western democracies, and the international instability of the 1930s. Additionally, many Austrians identified as Germans, felt a strong connection to the broader German-speaking community, and wanted protection from Germany. The Austrian Nazi Party had also been actively promoting the idea of unification with Germany, and their infiltration of key positions within the Austrian government helped create a favourable environment for annexation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Annexation | 11-13 March 1938 |
| Annexation Known As | Anschluss ("joining" or "connection" in German) |
| Austrian Support for Annexation | 99.73% (according to a manipulated referendum) |
| International Response | Lack of intervention or punishment for violation of international treaties |
| Austrian Nazi Party's Role | Stirred sentiments of unity and identity, promoted unification, and infiltrated the Austrian government |
| Austrian Chancellor | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| Austrian Nazi Leader | Adolf Hitler |
| Austrian Nazi Goals | Antisemitism, unification with Germany, and territorial expansion |
| Violated Treaties | Treaty of Versailles and Treaty of Saint-Germain |
| Austrian Economic Factors | High unemployment rate, unstable commerce and industry, rich in raw materials and labour |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian citizens' support for German nationalism
The annexation of Austria by Germany, known as the Anschluss, occurred in March 1938. This event was influenced by several factors, including Austrian citizens' support for German nationalism, which contributed to a sense of support among Austrian citizens for joining Germany.
The political climate in Austria leading up to the annexation also favoured German nationalism. The Austrian Nazi Party had infiltrated key positions within the Austrian government, creating a favourable environment for annexation by portraying it as a popular and necessary step. Additionally, the international community's lack of intervention further emboldened Hitler's actions and indicated their acceptance of the annexation, removing potential obstacles to Austrian citizens' support for German nationalism.
However, it is important to note that Austrian nationalism also existed, with groups like the Christian Social Party advocating for an Austrian national identity separate from Germany. The Communist Party of Austria, for example, supported an independent Austria and rejected a German identity for the country. After World War II, Austrians began to reject the German identity more strongly, emphasizing their non-Germanic heritage and considering themselves as "Hitler's first victim".
In conclusion, Austrian citizens' support for German nationalism was a crucial factor in the annexation of Austria by Germany. The sense of shared ethnicity, language, and unity influenced many Austrians to support the idea of unification with Germany, despite the existence of opposing Austrian nationalist sentiments.
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Austrian Nazi Party's promotion of unification
The Austrian Nazi Party played a significant role in promoting the idea of unification with Germany, which was a core principle of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. The belief that all German-speaking peoples should be united under a single nation was a fundamental aspect of the rising German nationalism among Austrian citizens. The Austrian Nazi Party actively advocated for this unification, stirring sentiments of unity and identity among the Austrian people.
By the early 1930s, the Austrian Nazi Party had gained considerable influence within Austria, infiltrating key positions in the Austrian government. They effectively promoted the idea of unification, portraying it as a necessary and popular step for the nation. This propaganda campaign utilised slogans such as "Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer" ("One People, One Empire, One Leader"), resonating with many Austrians who identified as ethnically German. The Austrian Nazi Party's efforts were aided by the political climate in Austria, which was characterised by infighting and political violence, making the country more susceptible to extremist ideologies.
The Austrian Nazi Party's promotion of unification was closely aligned with Hitler's vision for a "Greater Germany" or "Großdeutschland". This vision, outlined in the Nazi Party Platform of 1920 and in Hitler's writings, aimed to incorporate all ethnic Germans and the lands lost by the German Empire after World War I into a single nation. Hitler's rise to power in Germany in 1933 further bolstered the Austrian Nazi Party's efforts, as his popularity in Germany spilled over into Austria.
The Austrian Nazi Party's activities had a significant impact on public opinion in Austria. Initially, in 1932, it was estimated that around 80% of Austrians were pro-Anschluss. However, by the end of 1933, following Hitler's appointment as German chancellor, public opinion shifted, with around 60% of Austrians opposing German annexation. Despite this shift, the Austrian Nazi Party continued their campaign, and by 1938, they had created a favourable environment for annexation. This shift in public opinion can be attributed to the effective propaganda and the manipulation of the referendum process.
In summary, the Austrian Nazi Party's promotion of unification with Germany was a critical factor in influencing Austrian citizens' support for annexation. Their efforts tapped into the rising German nationalism and the desire for economic stability, presenting unification as a desirable outcome for the country. The party's infiltration of the Austrian government and their effective propaganda campaigns contributed to shaping public opinion and ultimately facilitated the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany.
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German troops' invasion of Austria
The invasion of Austria by German troops, known as the Anschluss, began on March 12, 1938, when the 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht crossed the border into Austria. The invasion was the culmination of a series of events that began with the rise of German nationalism among Austrian citizens, many of whom identified as Germans due to shared cultural and linguistic ties. This sense of nationalism was stoked by the Austrian Nazi Party, which had infiltrated key positions within the Austrian government, creating a favourable environment for annexation.
In early 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced a referendum on a possible union with Germany, which was to be held on March 13. However, Hitler threatened an invasion and pressured Schuschnigg to resign on March 11. A forged telegram was sent in the name of Seyss-Inquart, who was appointed Chancellor after Schuschnigg's resignation, requesting German troops to restore order in Austria.
On the morning of March 12, German troops crossed the border and were greeted by cheering Austrians with Nazi salutes, flags, and flowers. The invasion, dubbed the "Flower War", was unopposed by the Austrian military, as the Austrian government had ordered the Austrian Bundesheer not to resist. Hitler himself crossed the border that afternoon, accompanied by a 4,000-man bodyguard, and was enthusiastically welcomed in Linz by 250,000 Austrians.
The international community's lack of intervention during the invasion further emboldened Hitler, allowing him to continue his expansionist policies unchecked. The annexation of Austria was a significant breach of the post-World War I international order and a watershed moment in Nazi Germany's foreign policy. It was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany, violating international treaties such as the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
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Lack of international response
The lack of international response to Germany's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, was a significant factor in allowing the seemingly smooth process of unification. The international community's inaction emboldened Hitler and the Nazis to pursue their aggressive expansionist agenda without fear of reprisal.
In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. This act violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. However, the other European powers did not intervene or enforce any consequences for these blatant violations of international treaties. This inaction signalled their acceptance of the Anschluss and set a precedent for appeasing Hitler's regime.
The Western democracies, particularly France and Britain, notably failed to act. This lack of response from the democratic powers further encouraged Hitler's actions and signalled that his expansionist policies would be tolerated. The international community's silence on the issue allowed the Nazis to continue their territorial aggression unchecked. This appeasement was a watershed moment in Nazi foreign policy, as it demonstrated that Hitler could redraw the map of post-World War I Europe without facing resistance.
The lack of international intervention also contributed to the perception of Austrian enthusiasm for the annexation. Hitler's regime manipulated this silence to justify the illegal takeover, claiming that the Austrian people overwhelmingly supported the union. The referendum held after the German troops entered Austria was neither free nor fair, with opponents too afraid to vote against the annexation. The high percentage of support claimed by the Nazis was likely inflated due to the non-anonymous nature of the vote.
In conclusion, the lack of international response to Germany's annexation of Austria played a crucial role in enabling the smooth and unopposed unification. This inaction had far-reaching consequences, as it emboldened Hitler, validated his expansionist agenda, and set a precedent for the international community's appeasement of Nazi Germany's aggressive policies.
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Austrian dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Saint Germain
The Treaty of Saint-Germain, signed on 10 September 1919, officially concluded World War I. The treaty was signed by representatives of Austria and the Allied Powers, and it recognised the independence of several new nations, including Czechoslovakia, Poland, Hungary, and the Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes (Yugoslavia). The treaty also ceded several territories to other nations, including Italy and the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, reducing Austria's land to just 25% of its pre-war size.
The Treaty of Saint-Germain had significant implications for Austria, and it was a source of dissatisfaction for several reasons. Firstly, the treaty imposed economic hardships on Austria. The loss of territories, including industrially productive areas, severely restricted Austria's economy and made it dependent on trade. This loss of land and economic weakness caused resentment among Austrians, who felt that unification with Germany, known as Anschluss, could provide a solution to their financial troubles.
Secondly, the treaty limited Austria's political autonomy and sovereignty. Article 88 of the treaty prohibited Austria from entering into any political or economic union with the Weimar Republic without the consent of the League of Nations. This restriction was particularly unpopular among Austrians, especially those who identified as ethnically German, as it hindered their aspiration for a unified German nation-state. The idea of Anschluss gained popularity as a way to regain national strength and influence.
Additionally, the treaty imposed military restrictions on Austria. It limited the Austrian army to a force of 30,000 volunteers and broke up the Austro-Hungarian navy. These limitations left Austria militarily weak and vulnerable, further contributing to the sense of insecurity among Austrians.
The dissatisfaction with the Treaty of Saint-Germain persisted for many years and created a political climate in Austria that was favourable to the idea of unification with Germany. Austrian citizens felt a growing sense of German nationalism, and the Austrian Nazi Party actively promoted unification, infiltrating key positions within the government. By 1938, the stage was set for the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, known as the Anschluss, which violated the very terms of the Treaty of Saint-Germain it had helped fuel.
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