Ruqayyah Snyder
On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria to annex the German-speaking nation for the Third Reich. The invasion, led by Hitler, was met with cheering Austrians who greeted them with Nazi salutes, Nazi flags, and flowers. This enthusiasm for Hitler and the Germans was surprising, as most people believed that a majority of Austrians opposed Anschluss. So, why did Austria welcome Germany?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of unification | 12 March 1938 |
| Number of German troops | 8th Army |
| German leader | Adolf Hitler |
| Austrian leader | Kurt von Schuschnigg |
| German troops greeted by Austrians with | Nazi salutes, Nazi flags, flowers |
| Number of Austrians gathered in Linz to meet Hitler | 250,000 |
| Austrians' opinion about unification | Doubtful that a qualified majority of Austrians supported unification |
| Austrians' opinion about German invasion | Austrians were happy and relieved that bloodshed was avoided |
| Reason for Austrians' support for unification | Hope for economic improvement, end to the "Jewish Question", and completion of unification of all Germans into one state |
| Hitler's birthplace | Braunau am Inn |
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What You'll Learn
Hitler's Austrian heritage
Adolf Hitler was born on 20 April 1889 in the small Austrian town of Braunau am Inn, in Upper Austria on the Austrian-German border. His father, Alois, was a customs official, and the family moved to Passau, Germany, in 1892. However, Hitler acquired the distinctive lower Bavarian dialect, rather than Austrian German, which marked his speech throughout his life.
Hitler moved back to Austria with his family in 1894, settling in Leonding. He attended a state-funded primary school in nearby Fischlham. After Alois' death in 1903, Hitler left school without any qualifications or clear plans for a career. In 1907, he moved to Vienna, where he lived a bohemian existence, sleeping in hostels and painting postcards. It was in Vienna that Hitler began to develop many of the anti-Semitic and nationalist views that would later characterise his ideology. He was particularly influenced by the anti-Semitic politics of Vienna's mayor, Karl Lueger. Hitler also despised the multi-ethnic composition of Austria's ruling Habsburg Empire and expressed loyalty only to Germany.
In 1913, Hitler moved to Munich, Germany, to avoid military service in Austria. He was living in Munich when World War I broke out in 1914, and he enlisted in the Bavarian Army. Hitler was decorated for bravery during the war, receiving the Iron Cross, Second Class. After the war, he joined the German Workers' Party (DAP), the precursor of the Nazi Party, in 1919 and became the leader of the Nazi Party in 1921.
In 1938, under pressure from pro-unification activists, Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced a referendum on a possible union with Germany. Hitler threatened an invasion and pressured Schuschnigg to resign, sending German troops to cross the border into Austria on 12 March 1938. The troops were greeted by cheering Austrians with Nazi salutes, flowers, and flags. A plebiscite was held, resulting in an overwhelming approval for unification. This event, known as the Anschluss, marked the annexation of Austria into the German Reich.
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Austrians' desire for unification
The unification of Austria and Germany, known as the Anschluss, was a complex event that occurred in 1938. While the idea of unification had been present for a long time, with many Germans from both Austria and Germany welcoming it as the completion of a long-overdue unification of all Germans into one state, the specific circumstances and motivations surrounding the Anschluss are multifaceted and cannot be attributed to a single cause.
One significant factor in the Austrian desire for unification was the economic situation in the country. After World War I, Austria went from being a grand empire to a relatively insignificant landlocked state with a much smaller population. The country was facing economic challenges, and many Austrians hoped for improved material conditions and economic stability. The Great Depression further exacerbated these issues, and the promise of jobs and economic prosperity under Nazi rule held appeal for some Austrians.
Another factor contributing to the Austrian desire for unification was the presence of anti-Semitism in the country. Austria had a significant Jewish population, especially in Vienna, and the arrival of German soldiers sparked outbreaks of anti-Semitic pogroms. The Austrian Nazis and their accomplices perpetrated acts of antisemitic violence, and the unification was seen by some as a chance to end the so-called "Jewish Question."
Additionally, the political landscape in Austria played a role in the desire for unification. The Austrian fascists had already put down the leftists in the country, and the German Nazis took advantage of this by assuming control. The Austrian chancellor, Engelbert Dollfuss, who was pro-Habsburg and anti-Nazi, was assassinated by Austrian Nazis in 1934, making it easier for the German Nazis to exert influence. His successor, Kurt Schuschnigg, faced pressure from Hitler and was coerced into naming top Austrian Nazis to his cabinet.
It is important to note that the support for the Anschluss among Austrians is a subject of debate. While there were enthusiastic crowds greeting Hitler and German troops, the available evidence suggests that the pro-Anschluss movement might have only had slim majority support. The strength of the conservative opposition and the possibility that a majority would have voted against the Anschluss indicate that the sentiment was not universally shared by all Austrians.
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Fear of Stalin's USSR
Austria's welcome of Germany in 1938, known as the Anschluss, was influenced by a variety of factors, including the fear of Stalin's USSR. Here is a detailed analysis of how this fear played a role in the events leading up to the Anschluss:
Austria, in the years leading up to the Anschluss, experienced significant political and social turmoil. The country had been part of the Holy Roman Empire, a loose federation of German-speaking states, for centuries. After the Napoleonic Wars, the empire was replaced by the German Confederation, with Austria and Prussia having differing visions for a unified German state. Post-World War I, Austria went from being a grand empire to a landlocked state of six million, required to be nonaligned. This created a sense of instability and a desire for unity with other German-speaking nations.
Rise of Right-Wing and Fascist Sentiments:
The fear of Stalin's USSR contributed to the rise of right-wing and fascist sentiments in Austria. Engelbert Dollfuss, the Austrian dictator during the Great Depression, embodied these ideologies. While he was anti-Nazi, his right-wing and anti-Semitic views resonated with Austrians concerned about the spread of communism from the USSR. This dynamic set the stage for the emergence of pro-Nazi factions within Austria.
Activities of Austrian Nazis:
Austrian Nazis played a crucial role in paving the way for the Anschluss. They conspired to seize the Austrian government and unite with Nazi Germany. The assassination of Dollfuss in 1934 by an Austrian Nazi created an opportunity for the German Nazis to gain influence. The remaining Austrian Nazis carried out terrorist attacks against Austrian governmental institutions, causing a death toll of over 800 between 1934 and 1938, further destabilizing the country.
Perceived Protection from USSR:
With the rise of Nazi Germany and its aggressive expansionist policies, some Austrians may have viewed an alliance with Hitler as a protective measure against Stalin's USSR. This perception of protection from communism may have influenced Austrians who welcomed the Anschluss.
Stalin's Interests in Austria:
Stalin himself had interests in Austria, considering the country's geopolitical significance. While he initially proposed an independent Austrian state, he later showed interest in a pro-Soviet Danubian confederation. The Western Allies' reluctance to commit to a full-scale occupation of Austria left room for Stalin's influence, and the fear of Stalin's intentions likely played a role in Austrians' calculations leading up to the Anschluss.
Economic and Social Crises:
Austria was facing economic and social crises in the lead-up to the Anschluss. The Great Depression, high unemployment, and food shortages created a sense of instability and dissatisfaction. Hitler's promises of greatness and jobs may have appealed to Austrians seeking change and protection from the perceived threats of Stalin's USSR.
In conclusion, the fear of Stalin's USSR was a significant factor in the complex dynamics leading up to Austria's welcome of Germany in 1938. This fear influenced political ideologies, shaped perceptions of protection, and contributed to the social and economic crises that made the promises of Nazi Germany appealing to some Austrians.
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Economic crisis
Austria experienced economic turbulence during the Great Depression, with high unemployment, unstable commerce, and a struggling industry. In May 1931, the Creditanstalt, the country's most influential bank, went bankrupt, bringing Austria close to financial ruin. The country's economic woes were further exacerbated by the rise of the National Socialists in Germany, as many Austrians began to support the Austrian Nazi Party.
The idea of a union between Austria and Germany, known as the "Anschluss," gained popularity in both countries. Austria had been left out of the unified German Empire in 1871, and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918 left the country without much of the territory it had historically ruled. The Republic of German-Austria attempted to unite with Germany after World War I, but the Treaty of Saint Germain and the Treaty of Versailles prohibited this union and stripped Austria of more territories, including the Sudetenland.
By 1937, Germany's rapid rearmament and interest in annexing Austria, which was rich in raw materials and labour, increased. The annexation of Austria was also seen as a key step towards bringing Eastern Europe into a "greater economic space." Additionally, Austria's diplomatic isolation and the international community's acceptance of an Austro-German union as inevitable contributed to the growing support for unification.
Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg attempted to maintain Austrian independence but was pressured by Hitler and bullied into naming Austrian Nazis to his cabinet. On March 11, 1938, Schuschnigg resigned, and the next day, German troops marched into Austria, greeted by cheering Austrians. Hitler appointed a new Nazi government, and the annexation was proclaimed on March 13, marking the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany.
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Anti-Semitism
Austria's annexation by Nazi Germany, known as the "Anschluss", took place on March 12, 1938, and was met with enthusiasm by a significant majority of Austrians. This enthusiasm was driven in part by the anti-Semitic sentiment that had been growing in Austria prior to the annexation.
In the years leading up to the Anschluss, Austria experienced a rise in anti-Semitism, with violent attacks by German National and National Socialist students against Jewish classmates occurring at the University of Vienna and the Institute of Anatomy as early as the 1920s. The First Republic of Austria denied citizenship to former Habsburg monarchy Jews during the interwar period, and in 1921, there was a significant antisemitic mob parade in Vienna. After the collapse of the Habsburg Empire, Jews were blamed for the downfall of Austria-Hungary and the Central Powers during World War I, similar to the German "stab-in-the-back" myth.
The "Fatherland Front" or "Vaterländische Front", established in 1933 as the sole representative body of Austrian citizenry, was deeply antisemitic despite having Jews among its ranks. It had strong ties to the Catholic Church and saw itself as opposed to the Protestant-dominated Nazis. On March 6, 1938, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency reported on an antisemitic demonstration at the University of Vienna, an institution with a long history of anti-Jewish sentiment.
Following the Anschluss, the Nazis immediately began implementing anti-Jewish measures throughout Austria. The German racial Nuremberg Laws were applied, classifying people with one Jewish grandparent as Jewish, even if they or their parents had converted to another faith. This drastically increased the number of people affected by the anti-Jewish laws. Jews were expelled from all cultural, economic, and social life in Austria, and physical violence and public humiliation became commonplace. Jewish businesses were looted and confiscated, and Jewish employees were dismissed from their jobs. The Mauthausen concentration camp, established near Linz in the summer of 1938, became the main Nazi camp in Austria, where inmates were subjected to harsh conditions and forced labour.
The November 1938 Kristallnacht ("Night of Broken Glass") pogroms were particularly brutal in Austria, with most synagogues in Vienna destroyed and Jewish businesses vandalized and ransacked. Thousands of Jews were arrested and deported to concentration camps. The main emigration wave of Jews fleeing Austria occurred between March 1938, with the start of the Anschluss, and November 1938, with an estimated 117,000 Jews leaving the country between 1938 and 1940.
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Frequently asked questions
Austria's welcome of Germany is a complex issue. While many Austrians did not support unification with Germany, a large chunk of the population was very pleased with the annexation, or Anschluss, and welcomed Hitler with cheering crowds. This was due to a variety of reasons, including a desire to unite all German-speaking people into a single unified state, the promise of economic improvement, and the hope of putting an end to the "Jewish Question".
There were several factors that contributed to the support for the Anschluss among Austrians. Firstly, Austria had been part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was a loose federation of German-speaking states, and there was a long-standing desire to unite all German-speaking people into a single state. Secondly, the Great Depression had a significant impact on Austria, leading to economic hardship and a desire for change. Many Austrians hoped that Hitler's regime would bring about economic improvement and job creation. Finally, antisemitism was deeply rooted in Austria, and the arrival of German soldiers triggered outbreaks of antisemitic violence.
The annexation of Austria by Germany was an act of open aggression that surprised both Nazis and non-Nazis. Winston Churchill warned that countries should take "effective measures" to respond to Germany's aggression. However, the British and French failed to take action, emboldening Hitler towards further aggression.
