Lyla Lindsey
Hitler wanted Austria as part of his plan to unite all German-speaking nations in Europe under Germany. In his 1925 book, Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote that German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, even if it were to be unimportant or harmful from an economic perspective. Hitler's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany. It violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany.
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What You'll Learn
- Hitler wanted to unite all German-speaking nations in Europe
- He wanted to destabilise Austria and undermine its independence
- He wanted to annex Austria to gain access to its iron resources
- He wanted to fulfil his ideology of grouping all Germans into one nation-state
- He wanted to fulfil his prediction in Mein Kampf that Austria would return to the German motherland
Hitler wanted to unite all German-speaking nations in Europe
> German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort. No, no: even if from the economic point of view this union were unimportant, indeed, if it were harmful, it ought nevertheless to be brought about. Common blood belongs in a common Reich. As long as the German nation is unable even to band together its own children in one common State, it has no moral right to think of colonization as one of its political aims.
Hitler's desire to unite all German-speaking nations in Europe was not limited to Austria. He also wanted control of the largely German-speaking area within Czechoslovakia, called the Sudetenland. Austria shared a border with this area, which was another reason why Hitler wanted to unite with Austria.
Hitler's goal of uniting all German-speaking nations in Europe was not just theoretical but was put into practice through a series of aggressive political and military actions. In July 1934, a pro-Nazi group tried to overthrow the Austrian government with Hitler's approval and assistance from German officials. Although the group assassinated Austria's chancellor, the coup attempt ultimately failed due to a lack of support from the Austrian military. Despite this initial setback, Hitler continued to pursue his goal of uniting all German-speaking nations in Europe.
In March 1938, Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg announced that there would be a referendum on a possible union with Germany. Hitler, portraying this as defying the popular will in Austria and Germany, threatened an invasion and secretly pressured Schuschnigg to resign. German troops crossed the border into Austria on March 12, 1938, and a Nazi government in Austria, headed by Arthur Seyss-Inquart, was established. On March 13, 1938, Seyss-Inquart signed the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany. This event, known as the Anschluss, was the first act of territorial expansion committed by Nazi Germany.
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He wanted to destabilise Austria and undermine its independence
Hitler wanted to destabilise Austria and undermine its independence for several reasons. Firstly, he wanted to unite all German-speaking nations in Europe under Germany. This included Austria, his native homeland, which shared a border with the largely German-speaking Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia. By destabilising Austria, Hitler could undermine its independence and ultimately achieve the union he desired.
Hitler's desire for this union was made clear in his 1925 book, 'Mein Kampf', where he wrote, "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort... Common blood belongs in a common Reich." This ideology was a key motivator for Hitler's actions towards Austria.
Hitler took steps to destabilise Austria by ordering Austrian Nazis to create chaos and havoc in the country. In 1934, a pro-Nazi group, with Hitler's approval, attempted to overthrow the Austrian government. This attempt failed, but it demonstrated Hitler's willingness to use violence and disruption to achieve his goals.
In 1936, the Austrian Chancellor, Schuschnigg, signed the German-Austrian Agreement, which recognised Austrian independence but required its foreign policy to align with Germany's. This agreement was an attempt by Schuschnigg to appease Hitler and preserve Austria's independence. However, it ultimately undermined Austrian sovereignty by giving Hitler influence over its foreign policy decisions.
Despite these concessions, Hitler continued to pressure Schuschnigg. In 1938, Schuschnigg announced a referendum to allow the Austrian people to decide on maintaining Austrian independence or uniting with Germany. Fearing the outcome, Hitler immediately decided to invade Austria to prevent the vote. He demanded that Schuschnigg call off the referendum and resign, threatening military action if his demands were not met.
Hitler's actions towards Austria, including his encouragement of internal chaos and his strong-arm tactics against Schuschnigg, clearly demonstrate his intention to destabilise the country and undermine its independence in pursuit of his ultimate goal of union with Austria.
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He wanted to annex Austria to gain access to its iron resources
Austria is home to the world's largest deposit of siderite, an iron-carbonate mineral. Siderite has been mined at the Styrian iron ore mine "Erzberg" in the town of Eisenerz for over 1,300 years. Iron is considered a "mineral free for mining" in Austria, according to the Austrian Mineral Resources Act. It is used mainly as a basic material for steel production. In addition to iron, Austria also has one of the largest tungsten deposits in the western world, located in the "Felbertal" area of Salzburg.
Hitler's desire to annex Austria was driven by his ambition to unite all German-speaking nations in Europe under German rule. This included his native homeland, Austria, with which he sought reunification. However, it is important to note that Hitler himself denied any economic motivations for this unification, as quoted in his 1925 book, Mein Kampf:
> "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland, and not because of economic considerations of any sort. No, no: even if from the economic point of view this union were unimportant, indeed, if it were harmful, it ought nevertheless to be brought about."
Hitler's primary goal was the unification of German-speaking peoples, and he was willing to pursue this goal regardless of any potential economic benefits or drawbacks. Nonetheless, it is reasonable to assume that access to Austria's considerable iron resources, as well as other valuable raw materials, would have been a significant advantage for Hitler's regime and its expansionist agenda.
Hitler's annexation of Austria, known as the Anschluss, violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of the two countries. The annexation was met with little resistance from Austrian Nazis and was even welcomed by many Austrians, who participated in the Nazification of their country. This internal support, along with the lack of intervention from other European powers, enabled Hitler to pursue his expansionist policies without significant obstacles.
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He wanted to fulfil his ideology of grouping all Germans into one nation-state
Hitler's desire to annex Austria was driven by his ideological goal of uniting all Germans into a single nation-state. This ambition was rooted in his belief in the importance of racial unity and the creation of a "Greater Germany." In his 1925 book, "Mein Kampf," Hitler expressed his vision of reuniting German-Austria with the German motherland, emphasizing the shared blood and common identity between Austrians and Germans. He considered it essential for Germans to unite in one state before pursuing colonial ambitions.
Hitler's determination to annex Austria was also influenced by his own personal connection to the country, as it was his country of birth. He saw the unification of Austria and Germany as a crucial step in fulfilling his broader nationalist agenda. This ideology of pan-Germanism, or the belief in the unification of all German-speaking peoples, was a central tenet of Nazi ideology. It advocated for the creation of a powerful and racially pure German nation, which would require the incorporation of German-speaking territories, including Austria.
The idea of grouping all Germans into one nation-state was not a new concept, as it had been debated in the 19th century following the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806. However, Hitler's interpretation of this idea was shaped by his racist and nationalist ideology. He believed that Germans were a superior race and that unifying them under Nazi rule was necessary to protect and promote their interests. This belief in racial superiority fueled his determination to annex Austria and create a homogeneous German nation.
Hitler's annexation of Austria, known as the "Anschluss," violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of the two countries. Despite these treaties, Hitler was determined to destabilize Austria, undermine its independence, and ultimately achieve the union he desired. He employed a combination of propaganda, political pressure, and military threats to achieve his goals.
Hitler's ideology of uniting all Germans into one nation-state had significant implications for Austria. It led to the erosion of Austrian independence, the persecution of minorities, and the imposition of Nazi rule. Austrians played a role in the "Nazification" of their country, with civil servants, soldiers, and police officers swearing allegiance to Hitler. The annexation of Austria marked the first act of territorial expansion by Nazi Germany, setting a precedent for further aggression and expansionary policies.
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He wanted to fulfil his prediction in Mein Kampf that Austria would return to the German motherland
Hitler's desire to annex Austria, known as the Anschluss, was driven by several factors, including his ideological beliefs, strategic considerations, and personal motivations. One of the key factors was indeed his prediction in Mein Kampf that Austria would return to the German motherland.
In his 1925 book Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote about his vision for the unification of German-speaking peoples, stating, "German-Austria must return to the great German motherland... Common blood belongs in a common Reich." This ideology, rooted in pan-Germanism and nationalism, guided many of Hitler's foreign policy decisions. By annexing Austria, Hitler aimed to fulfil this prediction and realise his vision of a unified German nation.
Hitler's belief in the unification of German-speaking peoples extended beyond Austria. He also sought to bring the Sudetenland, a largely German-speaking region in Czechoslovakia, under German control. Austria's shared border with the Sudetenland made it strategically important for Hitler's broader expansionist goals.
Hitler's determination to annex Austria was also influenced by practical considerations. Austria's natural resources, particularly its iron deposits, made it an attractive target. Additionally, the presence of a significant pro-Nazi population in Austria, including Austrian Nazis who actively worked to destabilise the country, facilitated Hitler's plans for annexation.
The Austrian chancellor, Kurt Schuschnigg, attempted to maintain Austria's independence by signing agreements with Hitler and making concessions, such as recognising Austria as a German state and allowing Nazis to hold official posts. However, these efforts ultimately failed to deter Hitler from his goal of uniting Austria with Germany, as predicted in Mein Kampf.
In March 1938, Hitler invaded Austria, and on March 13, the "Reunification of Austria with Germany" was signed into law, formally incorporating Austria into Nazi Germany. This annexation violated the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain, which expressly forbade the unification of Austria and Germany. Despite this, the international community's response was largely one of appeasement, allowing Hitler to continue his expansionist agenda unchecked.
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Frequently asked questions
Hitler wanted all German-speaking nations in Europe to become part of Germany. Austria was a German-speaking nation and shared a border with the Sudetenland, a largely German-speaking area of Czechoslovakia that Hitler wanted to control.
Hitler wanted to destabilise Austria and undermine its independence. His ultimate goal was Anschluss (union) with Austria.
In 1934, Italy's dictator, Mussolini, honoured an agreement to protect Austria from outside aggression and moved troops to the Austrian border to deter Hitler from invading. In 1936, Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg signed the German-Austrian Agreement, recognising Austrian independence but requiring its foreign policy to be consistent with Germany's. In 1938, Schuschnigg announced a referendum for Austrians to decide if they wanted to be part of Hitler's Germany. Hitler responded by threatening to invade.
Hitler invaded Austria before the referendum could take place. German troops entered Austria on March 12, 1938, and were greeted with cheers and flowers. A plebiscite held on April 10 showed 99.7% approval for unification, but 300,000-400,000 Austrian citizens, including Jews, Roma, and Nazis' political opponents, were forbidden to vote.
