Ruqayyah Snyder
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria, marking the beginning of World War II. This invasion, known as the Anschluss, was a significant breach of the post-World War I international order and the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany. The German annexation of Austria was made possible by the support of Austrian Nazis and the majority of the Austrian population, who welcomed the unification with Nazi Germany. However, the invasion also resulted in the persecution of Austria's Jewish population and the suppression of any official memory of Austrian existence separate from Germany. The consequences of the Anschluss extended beyond Austria, as it emboldened Hitler to continue his expansionary policies, leading to the occupation of Czechoslovakia and Poland, and ultimately, the outbreak of World War II.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Invasion | 12 March 1938 |
| Invading Country | Nazi Germany |
| Invaded Country | Austria |
| Event Name | Anschluss |
| Reason | Annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany |
| Austrian Support | Overwhelming support from Austrian population |
| Austrian Resistance | Very little resistance from Austrian government and military |
| International Reaction | Protested by France and Great Britain but accepted by other countries |
| Result | Austria became part of Nazi Germany |
| Nazi Actions Post-Invasion | Arrested leaders of anti-Nazi Austrian political parties, carried out public violence against Jews |
| Austrian Involvement in WWII | 950,000 Austrians fought for Nazi German forces, Austrians participated in Nazi administration and leadership |
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What You'll Learn
Hitler's ultimatum to Schuschnigg
On 12 February 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg met with Adolf Hitler at his Berghof residence in an attempt to improve worsening relations between their two countries. Schuschnigg, who had long opposed Nazi penetration into Austria, had ruled the country as a dictator since 1934, when his predecessor Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated by Austrian Nazis.
Hitler, who had risen to power in Germany in 1933, sought to incorporate as many Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans outside Germany) as possible into a "Greater Germany". This desire for unification was integral to the Nazi "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept. Schuschnigg, on the other hand, wished for Austria to remain independent, despite considering it a German state.
On 11 March 1938, Hitler gave the Austrian government a series of ultimatums: Schuschnigg must call off the planned referendum on unification, and Austrian President Wilhelm Miklas must appoint the Austrian Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart as the new Austrian chancellor. If these demands were not met, the German military would invade Austria.
Faced with Hitler's ultimatum, Schuschnigg desperately sought support for Austrian independence. However, realising that neither France nor Britain was willing to offer assistance, he resigned on the evening of 11 March. Despite this, Hitler ordered the invasion to commence at dawn on 12 March. Around 10 pm, a forged telegram was sent in Seyss-Inquart's name requesting German troops, as he was not yet chancellor and therefore unable to do so himself.
The German Army crossed the border into Austria on 12 March, unopposed by the Austrian military. A plebiscite was held on 10 April, with the ballot manipulated through threats and coercion, resulting in 99.7% approval. This annexation of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany, known as the Anschluss, was the Nazi regime's first act of territorial aggression and expansion.
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Austria's enthusiastic welcome of the Nazis
Austria was invaded by Nazi Germany in 1938, in an event known as the Anschluss. The invasion was met with the overwhelming support of the Austrian population, who enthusiastically welcomed the Nazis into their country. This support was influenced by a variety of factors, including economic stagnation, political dictatorship, and intense Nazi propaganda within Austria. The Austrian government also played a role in fostering antisemitism and supporting the unification of German Austria with the German state.
The Social Democratic Party of Austria (SDAP) and the nationalist Great German Union (GVP) were two of the major political groups competing for power in the young republic. Both parties favoured a union with Germany, which was also a republic at the time (Weimar Republic). In addition, the Austrian National Socialists (DNSAP), who were linked to Hitler's NSDAP, gained support among the population, despite initially failing to enter Parliament in the 1930 General Election.
The DNSAP received financial, logistic, and material support from Germany, and their terrorist activities in Austria resulted in several deaths and injuries. In 1933, the Christian Social Union, the strongest grouping besides the SDAP, was converted to the Patriotic Front, which was anti-Marxist and purported to represent all Austrians loyal to their native land. The Austrian Communist Party was banned soon after, along with several other groups. The Nazis continued to gain support, and in 1938, German troops entered Austria, receiving a warm welcome from the majority of the population.
The Nazis manipulated a plebiscite held in April 1938 to indicate that about 99% of Austrians wanted the union with Germany. Jews and Roma were not allowed to vote in this plebiscite. The Austrian politician Karl Renner, who was the first chancellor of republican Austria, also welcomed the Anschluss. He remained antisemitic even after the war, refusing to support Jewish returnees and concentration camp survivors.
During World War II, 950,000 Austrians fought for the Nazi German armed forces, and many others participated in the Nazi administration, including death camp personnel and senior Nazi leadership. The majority of bureaucrats who implemented the Final Solution were Austrian. After the war, many Austrians sought to distance themselves from responsibility by promoting the myth that Austria was the first victim of the Nazis. This narrative was supported by the Moscow Declaration of 1943, in which the British, Americans, and Soviets proclaimed that Austria was Germany's first victim.
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The Soviet-German frontline
The Eastern Front opened on June 22, 1941, with the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany under the codename Operation Barbarossa. The German military plan, involving over three million troops, called for an advance up to a line running from the port of Archangel in northern Russia to the port of Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea. This would bring a significant portion of the Soviet population and its economic potential under German control. Initially, Soviet forces were unable to halt the Axis advance, which came dangerously close to Moscow. However, the Soviets successfully defended Moscow and later regained territories at the Battle of Stalingrad, a pivotal and incredibly bloody battle that severely damaged the morale of the Axis powers. The defeat of the Axis forces at Kursk further weakened the German offensive and paved the way for Soviet counteroffensives.
The enormous territorial gains of 1941 presented Germany with vast areas to pacify and administer. The fighting in Hungary, for instance, was some of the most brutal of the war, with two Red Army groups suffering around 484,300 losses, including 140,000 killed or captured. As the Soviets regrouped to invade Austria, the Germans launched their last major offensive of the war at Lake Balaton in March 1945, which was aimed at stopping the Soviet advance into the Third Reich. However, the Soviet counterattack resulted in the elimination of most German forces in the south and the capture of Vienna.
The Eastern Front was decisive in determining the outcome of World War II in Europe and was the main reason for the defeat of Nazi Germany and the Axis nations. More than 80% of all combat during the war took place on the Eastern Front, and around 30 million deaths occurred in this theatre of war, including 9 million children. The United States and the United Kingdom provided substantial material aid to the Soviet Union through the Lend-Lease program, along with naval and air support.
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Austria's antisemitism
In the years preceding World War II, Jews were an integral part of Austria's economic and cultural life, with a population of about 192,000 in 1938, comprising almost 4% of the total population. Vienna, the capital, was a significant centre of Jewish culture, Zionism, and education, with Jews making up around 9% of the city's residents. However, this period also witnessed a rise in antisemitism within Austria, characterised by economic stagnation, political dictatorship, and intense Nazi propaganda.
The German annexation of Austria in March 1938, known as the Anschluss, marked a turning point. German troops were met with enthusiastic support from most Austrians, and the country was quickly incorporated into Nazi Germany. This was followed by the establishment of the Mauthausen concentration camp, which became the main Nazi camp in Austria, inflicting harsh conditions and forced labour on its inmates. Thousands of Austrian Jews who opposed Nazi rule were sent to concentration camps, and by December 1939, the Jewish population in Vienna had decreased to 57,000 due primarily to emigration.
Antisemitism continued to be a part of Austrian political life and culture even after World War II. It manifested in various forms, from coded expressions to the desecration of Jewish graves and Holocaust memorials. While open expressions of antisemitism were publicly forbidden and taboo, it persisted in more subtle ways, particularly in political parties and the media.
In recent years, there has been a rise in antisemitic incidents, including graffiti, vandalism, and physical attacks. Extreme right-wing and neo-Nazi groups have intensified their activities, and public debates around National Socialist themes have sparked controversy. Additionally, a Eurobarometer survey revealed that 69% of Austrian respondents perceived Israel as a threat to world peace, reflecting a climate of antisemitism in the 21st century.
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The Moscow Declaration of 1943
- Declaration of Four Nations on General Security: The United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China reaffirmed their commitment to continuing hostilities against the Axis powers until they achieved an unconditional surrender. They recognized the need for a rapid transition from war to peace and the establishment of international peace and security while minimizing the diversion of resources from armaments.
- Declaration Regarding Italy: The foreign secretaries of the US, UK, and USSR agreed on measures to eradicate fascism and its influence in Italy. They emphasized the need to establish democratic principles and guarantee fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, religious worship, political belief, press, and public meeting. All institutions and organizations created by the Fascist regime were to be suppressed.
- Declaration on Austria: The US, UK, and USSR declared that Austria's annexation (Anschluss) by Germany was null and void. They recognized Austria as the first free country to fall victim to Hitlerite aggression and expressed their desire to re-establish a free and independent Austria. However, they also reminded Austria of its responsibility for participating in the war alongside Germany, and that this would be considered in the final settlement.
- Statement on Atrocities: The Allied powers pledged to hold accountable the German officers, men, and members of the Nazi Party who were responsible for atrocities, massacres, and executions in invaded countries. These individuals would be sent back to the liberated countries to be judged and punished according to the laws of those nations.
Impact on Austria:
- Victim and Aggressor: The declaration recognized Austria as the first victim of Hitlerite aggression, acknowledging that Nazi Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938 was imposed and not a true reflection of the will of the Austrian people. This distinction set Austria apart from Germany in the eyes of the Allies.
- Responsibility and Accountability: While acknowledging Austria's victim status, the declaration also held Austria accountable for its participation in the war alongside Nazi Germany. Austrians served loyally in the Nazi military and administration, and many were complicit in Nazi atrocities. The declaration stated that Austria's contribution to its own liberation would be considered during the final settlement.
- Occupation and Independence: After World War II, Austria was occupied by Allied forces, including the Red Army and Anglo-American troops. Austria was divided into four occupation zones, similar to Germany. The Moscow Declaration influenced the Soviet occupation policies, and ultimately, Austria emerged as an independent state.
- Avoiding Severe Consequences: Due to its recognition as a victim, Austria avoided some of the harsh consequences imposed on Germany. Austria did not lose any territory, and Austrians did not face ethnic cleansing or mass expulsions. Additionally, the Western Allies prevented the imposition of heavy war reparations on Austria, similar to those imposed on Germany and other Axis powers.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany invaded Austria as part of an expansionary policy led by Hitler, who considered the postwar international borders unfair and illegitimate. This invasion was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany, and it was known as the Anschluss.
Anschluss means "annexation" in German. The Anschluss occurred on March 12, 1938, when German troops marched into Austria to unite the German-speaking nation with the Third Reich.
While the Austrian government ordered Austrian forces not to resist, and the invading German troops were greeted by cheering Austrians, it is doubtful that a qualified majority of Austrians supported the Anschluss. Evidence suggests that the pro-Anschluss movement could only hope for a slim majority in the event of a plebiscite.
