Key facts and dates

The Anschluss, or union of Germany and Austria in March 1938, marked a significant step in Hitler's expansionist policies, achieved without military conflict. This timeline captures the critical events and milestones that led to the annexation and its immediate aftermath.

Timeline of key events

• February 1938 – Hitler meets Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg at Berchtesgaden, demanding inclusion of Austrian Nazis in government.
• 9 March 1938 – Schuschnigg announces a plebiscite on Austrian independence, provoking Hitler's opposition.
• 11 March 1938 – Hitler issues an ultimatum to Schuschnigg, demanding resignation and Nazi control.
• 12 March 1938 – German troops invade Austria, facing no resistance.
• 13 March 1938 – Anschluss officially declared, uniting Austria with Germany.
• 10 April 1938 – Plebiscite held under Nazi control, showing overwhelming support for union.

Hitler's aims and the background to Anschluss

The Anschluss, meaning 'union' or 'connection' in German, was a longstanding goal for Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime. It represented the desire to unite all German-speaking peoples into a single Greater German Reich, a vision rooted in nationalist ideology and personal ambition.

Roots of Hitler's ambition for union

• Ideological drive - Hitler, born in Austria himself, believed in the unification of German-speaking territories, seeing Austria as an integral part of a greater German nation, a concept central to Nazi ideology.
• Historical context - The idea of Anschluss predated Hitler, with calls for union emerging after the Austro-Hungarian Empire's collapse in 1918, though the Treaty of Versailles (1919) explicitly forbade such a merger to prevent German dominance in Europe.
• Political pressure - Austrian Nazis, inspired by their German counterparts, agitated for union throughout the 1930s, creating internal pressure on the Austrian government while aligning with Hitler's goals.

Key events leading to the annexation of Austria

The road to Anschluss was marked by a series of calculated moves by Hitler, exploiting Austrian political vulnerabilities and using intimidation to achieve his aims. These events unfolded rapidly in early 1938, culminating in the annexation.

Steps towards annexation

1. Berchtesgaden meeting (February 1938) - Hitler summoned Austrian Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg to his mountain retreat, where he bullied him into accepting Austrian Nazis in key government positions, undermining Austrian sovereignty.
2. Attempted plebiscite (March 1938) - In a bid to assert independence, Schuschnigg announced a plebiscite on 9 March to let Austrians vote on whether to remain independent, hoping for international support and a public mandate.
3. Hitler's ultimatum and Schuschnigg's resignation - Enraged by the plebiscite plan, Hitler issued an ultimatum on 11 March, demanding Schuschnigg resign and hand power to Austrian Nazi leader Arthur Seyss-Inquart; Schuschnigg complied under threat of invasion.
4. German invasion (12 March 1938) - German troops crossed the border unopposed, welcomed by many Austrians; Seyss-Inquart invited the forces in, ensuring a smooth occupation without military conflict.
5. Official annexation (13 March 1938) - The Anschluss was formally declared, integrating Austria into the Third Reich as the province of Ostmark, with a later plebiscite under Nazi control showing near-unanimous approval.

Austrian and international responses to the annexation

The response to Anschluss varied widely within Austria and across the international community. While many Austrians supported the union, opposition existed, and global reactions highlighted the weaknesses of collective security at the time.

Reactions inside Austria

• Enthusiastic reception - Large numbers of Austrians, especially those sympathetic to Nazi ideals or desiring economic stability through union with Germany, welcomed German troops with celebrations and public displays of support.
• Opposition and persecution - Significant opposition came from political rivals, socialists, and Austria's Jewish community, who faced immediate persecution; arrests, violence, and anti-Semitic policies began almost overnight.
• Suppression of dissent - Any resistance was quickly crushed by Nazi authorities, with opponents imprisoned or forced into silence, ensuring control over the newly annexed territory.

International reactions to Anschluss

• Britain and France - Both powers issued formal protests against the annexation but took no concrete action, reflecting their policy of appeasement towards Hitler to avoid another European war.
• Italy's shift - Mussolini, who had protected Austrian independence in 1934 by mobilising troops to the border, now acquiesced due to the 1936 Rome-Berlin Axis alliance, abandoning Austria to German control.
• League of Nations - The League, already weakened by earlier failures to curb aggression, did nothing beyond verbal condemnation, further demonstrating its ineffectiveness against Nazi expansion.

Strategic and economic gains for Germany

The annexation of Austria provided Germany with significant advantages, enhancing its position in Europe both militarily and economically. These gains strengthened Hitler's regime and set the stage for further territorial ambitions.

Benefits of Anschluss for Nazi Germany

• Population increase - The addition of seven million Austrians, mostly ethnic Germans, bolstered Germany's manpower for industry and military purposes.
• Economic resources - Austria's gold reserves and industrial capacity, including factories and infrastructure, enriched the German economy, funding further expansionist policies.
• Strategic positioning - Control over Austria improved Germany's geographical stance, encircling Czechoslovakia on three sides and creating pressure on this next target for Nazi ambitions.
• Military advantage - The integration of Austrian forces and resources into the Wehrmacht enhanced Germany's military readiness without the cost of war.

Significance of Anschluss for Nazi expansion and appeasement

The Anschluss was a pivotal moment in the prelude to the Second World War, revealing both the effectiveness of Hitler's tactics and the failures of international efforts to contain him. Its implications reverberated across Europe.

Long-term impacts of the annexation

• Bloodless expansion - Achieving Anschluss without military conflict demonstrated Hitler's ability to expand through intimidation and political manipulation, setting a model for future aggressions like the Sudetenland crisis later in 1938.
• Emboldening Hitler - The lack of opposition from Western powers confirmed to Hitler that Britain and France would not resist his territorial ambitions, encouraging further challenges to the Versailles order.
• Failure of appeasement - The event exposed the weaknesses of the appeasement policy, as concessions to Hitler only increased his demands rather than securing peace, undermining trust in diplomatic solutions.
• Testing Western resolve - The passive international response showed no willingness to confront Nazi aggression, paving the way for escalating tensions and ultimately contributing to the outbreak of war in 1939.