Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, when German troops marched into the country to unite it with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to reassert his country's independence but was forced to resign. Austria remained a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II, when the Allied powers declared the annexation void and re-established an independent Austria. Ten years after World War II, Austria became an independent republic once again, known as the Second Austrian Republic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Austria Leaving Germany | 1918, 1945, 1955 |
| Reason | Austria-Hungary's defeat in World War I, German defeat in World War II |
| Key Figures | Rudolph, Ottokar, Adolf Hitler, Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| Events Leading to Separation | Battle on the Marchfeld, Austrian Nazis' conspiracy to unite with Nazi Germany, German annexation of Austria, Austrian independence declared by Allied powers |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian-born Hitler annexes Austria to Germany
Hitler's annexation of Austria was facilitated by the Austrian Nazi Party, which had grown in popularity since Hitler's rise to power in Germany. In early 1938, Austrian Nazis conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Germany for the second time in four years. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, in an attempt to preserve Austrian independence, met with Hitler but was coerced into appointing several Austrian Nazis to his cabinet.
On March 9, 1938, Schuschnigg called for a national vote to settle the issue of the Anschluss once and for all. However, before the vote could take place, he resigned on March 11 due to pressure from Hitler. German troops marched into Austria on March 12, 1938, and Hitler appointed a new Nazi government. The annexation was supported by a large majority of Austrians, and Austria remained a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II.
Hitler's decision to annex Austria was influenced by his German nationalist ideology, which he developed at a young age. Additionally, Austria's rich natural resources and labour force made it an attractive target for annexation. The unification of Austria and Germany was a significant step towards Hitler's vision of creating a Greater German Reich that included all ethnic Germans and territories lost by the German Empire after World War I.
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Austria becomes a federal state of Germany
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, when German troops marched into the country to unite it with Nazi Germany. Austrian-born Adolf Hitler had been plotting to seize the Austrian government and, on March 12, he accompanied German troops into Austria, where they were met by enthusiastic crowds. Austria then existed as a federal state of Germany until the end of World War II.
Hitler had been conspiring with Austrian Nazis to seize the Austrian government by force and unite the nation with Nazi Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, upon learning of the plot, met with Hitler in an attempt to reassert his country's independence. However, he was pressured into naming several top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. Schuschnigg called a national vote to resolve the question of Anschluss, or "annexation," but before the vote could take place, he gave in to pressure from Hitler and resigned on March 11, 1938. The next day, German troops entered Austria, and Hitler appointed a new Nazi government. On March 13, the Anschluss was officially proclaimed, and Austria became a federal state of Germany.
The annexation of Austria was supported by a large majority of Austrians. However, after Germany's defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. In 1945, the Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and re-established an independent Austria. Schuschnigg, who had been imprisoned after his resignation, was released that year. Ten years after World War II, in 1955, Austria became an independent republic again as the Second Austrian Republic.
Austria has a long and complex history, with the territory understood by the term "Austria" undergoing drastic changes over time. The country has been ruled by various empires and dynasties, including the Habsburgs, who controlled Austria for over six centuries until 1918. The collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I led to significant changes in the region, with several independent states being proclaimed, including German Austria. The Treaty of Versailles further shaped the region, with the Allies expelling German forces from Austria-Hungary and taking possession of its warships.
In the lead-up to World War II, Germany was undergoing a period of unification and aggression, with nationalist sentiment outraged by Denmark's attempts to make Schleswig an integral part of the Danish state. This led to a brief German-Danish War in 1864, demonstrating the strength of the reorganized Prussian army. Tensions continued to grow between Prussia and Austria, with both sides stepping up their preparations for a potential military conflict. Bismarck, a key figure in German unification, played a significant role in these events, forming alliances and seeking to gain support for a unified Germany.
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German defeat in World War II weakens German identity in Austria
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938, in an event known as the Anschluss. This was the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany, and it was widely popular in both Austria and Germany. Austrian-born Adolf Hitler was met with cheers and flowers as he travelled through Austria, and 10% of the population joined the Nazi Party.
However, after the German defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. The Allied powers declared the Anschluss void and re-established an independent Austria. Many Austrians sought comfort in the myth of Austria as the first victim of the Nazis, and the country did not undergo the same denazification process as Germany. Nevertheless, the Nazis' attempt to erase any trace of a separate Austrian identity was ultimately unsuccessful.
The Austrian resistance groups reflected the spectrum of political parties before the war, including strong communist and Catholic groups. The most notable individual group was the one led by the priest Heinrich Maier, which successfully passed on plans for Nazi weapons to the Allies.
In the aftermath of World War II, Austria became an independent republic again in 1955. Ten years later, in 1965, it joined the European Union.
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Austria regains independence after World War II
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938 when German troops marched into the country. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg attempted to reassert his country's independence but was forced to resign and was imprisoned. Austrian-born Adolf Hitler then proclaimed the annexation, or 'Anschluss', of Austria to Germany, which was supported by a large majority of Austrians.
After World War II, the Allied powers declared the 'Anschluss' void and re-established an independent Austria. Schuschnigg was released from prison in 1945. Ten years after the war, in 1955, Austria became an independent republic as the Second Austrian Republic. Austria joined the European Union in 1995.
The road to Austrian independence was not straightforward. In the lead-up to World War I, Austria was part of the Austria-Hungary empire, a dual monarchy that ruled over a diverse array of territories and peoples. The empire collapsed during the war, with various constituent nations declaring independence. This included Hungary, which sought to sever ties with Austria, and the establishment of an independent state of German Austria in 1918.
The Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I, further weakened Austria, requiring it to give up significant territories and solidifying its independence from Hungary. The interwar period saw a rise in Austrian nationalism, with Austrian Nazis conspiring to seize the government and unite with Germany. This ultimately led to the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938.
Thus, while Austria regained its independence after World War II, its path to sovereignty was marked by complex political, social, and territorial changes that shaped the country's history.
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Austria's history of ruling dynasties
Austria has a long history of rule by various dynasties, dating back to the Middle Ages. Here is an overview of some of the most significant ruling dynasties in Austrian history:
The Habsburgs
The House of Habsburg, also known as the "House of Austria", was one of the most influential dynasties in European history and had a significant impact on Austria. The dynasty takes its name from Habsburg Castle, built in present-day Switzerland in the 1020s by Radbot of Klettgau. In 1273, Count Rudolf of Habsburg was elected King of Germany and later became King of the Romans. He defeated his rival, Ottokar II of Bohemia, and regained Austrian domains for the Empire. Rudolf appointed his sons, Albert I and Rudolph II, as co-rulers of the Duchies of Austria and Styria in 1282, establishing the foundation of the House of Habsburg in Austria. The Habsburgs ruled Austria as Dukes from 1278 until 1453, and as Archdukes from 1453 until 1804.
The Holy Roman Empire
In 1804, Francis II, anticipating the end of the Holy Roman Empire or the accession of Napoleon as Holy Roman Emperor, created the title of Emperor of Austria for himself and his successors, becoming Francis I of Austria. This marked the beginning of the Austrian Empire, which unified all Habsburg possessions under a central government. The Austrian Empire was a multinational European power from 1804 to 1867 and remained part of the Holy Roman Empire until its dissolution in 1806.
The Napoleonic Era
During the Napoleonic Wars, Metternich, a statesman in the Austrian Empire, exerted a significant influence over foreign policy. Initially, he supported an alliance with France, arranging a marriage between Napoleon and Francis I's daughter, Marie-Louise. However, he later realised Napoleon's downfall and took Austria to war against France. After Napoleon's defeat, the Austrian Empire was considered one of the great powers in Europe, but also as a reactionary force.
The Post-Napoleonic Period
After the Napoleonic Wars, the Austrian Empire continued to be a significant power in Europe. In the 19th century, the dynasty split into several branches, including the Spanish and German-Austrian branches. The Austrian branch of the dynasty was led by members such as Otto von Habsburg and Karl von Habsburg, who hold titles within various knightly orders.
The End of the Habsburg Rule
The rule of the Habsburgs in Austria came to an end in 1918, marking the conclusion of over six centuries of their dominance in the region. This period witnessed the transformation of Austria's political landscape, setting the stage for the country's subsequent history, including its annexation by Germany in 1938 and its eventual emergence as an independent republic after World War II.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria was annexed by Germany in 1938 when Austrian-born Adolf Hitler united the German-speaking nation with Nazi Germany. However, after World War II, the Allied powers declared the annexation void and Austria was re-established as an independent republic in 1955.
Austrian Nazis played a significant role in the unification of the two countries. In early 1938, they conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany. This led to the resignation of Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, who attempted to reassert his country's independence but was forced to include Austrian Nazis in his cabinet.
The unification of Austria and Germany was supported by a large majority of Austrians. When German troops marched into Austria, they were met with enthusiastic crowds.
After Germany's defeat in World War II, the German identity in Austria was weakened. The Allied powers declared the unification void and reestablished an independent Austria, separating the two nations once again.
