The Anschluss, the forced annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938, wasn’t some sudden, unexpected event. It was the culmination of years of escalating pressure, political manoeuvring, and ultimately, outright intimidation. Essentially, Hitler used a combination of internal Austrian politics and external threats to engineer a situation where Austria, weakened and divided, had little choice but to submit.
The Seeds of Union: A Shared Past and Growing Nationalism
Austria and Germany share a long and complex history, bound by language, culture, and centuries of shared dynastic ties. For many, particularly in Germany, the idea of a “Greater Germany” – a unified state encompassing all German-speaking peoples – held a powerful appeal. This wasn’t just a fringe idea; it had roots in the 19th-century nationalist movements that shaped modern Europe.
The Legacy of Empire
Following the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after World War I, the newly formed Republic of Austria found itself in a precarious position. Stripped of its imperial might and significantly reduced in size, many Austrians felt a deep sense of loss and economic hardship. This fostered a longing for something more, and for some, reunification with the larger, more prosperous German Republic seemed like a logical, even desirable, solution.
Pan-Germanism’s Resurgence
The concept of Pan-Germanism, the belief in a unified German nation, gained traction once more in the interwar period. This ideology saw Austria as an integral part of the German Volk, and its separation as an artificial and unnatural state of affairs. While not everyone in Austria supported outright annexation, the idea of closer ties, perhaps a customs union or a political alliance, was a sentiment that could be exploited.
Internal Austrian Politics: A Fertile Ground for Intervention
Austria in the 1930s was far from a unified nation. It was a country grappling with economic instability, political extremism, and deep ideological divisions. This internal turmoil provided Hitler with the perfect opportunity to exert his influence.
The Rise of Austrian Nazism
The Nazi Party, though initially banned in Austria after the assassination of Chancellor Dollfuss, had a significant following. These Austrian Nazis were fiercely loyal to Hitler and saw themselves as an extension of the German movement. They actively worked to destabilise the Austrian government, often through acts of sabotage, propaganda, and intimidation.
The Dollfuss Assassination and its Aftermath
A pivotal moment in this internal struggle was the assassination of Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss in 1934 by Austrian Nazis. Dollfuss had been a strong opponent of the Anschluss, advocating for an independent Austria. His death was a shockwave, but it also led to a crackdown on the Nazi Party. However, it also created a power vacuum and a sense of vulnerability within the Austrian government.
The Schuschnigg Government and its Difficult Choices
Kurt Schuschnigg, Dollfuss’s successor, inherited a difficult situation. He attempted to maintain Austria’s independence through a delicate balancing act, trying to appease both internal factions and the increasingly assertive Germany. He sought closer ties with Italy, hoping to find a counterbalance to German pressure, but Mussolini’s own ambitions and later appeasement of Hitler undermined this strategy.
Hitler’s Diplomatic Intimidation: The Berchtesgaden Meeting
By 1938, Hitler was determined to bring Austria into the Reich. He invited Schuschnigg to a meeting at his mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden on February 12, 1938. This wasn’t a negotiation; it was an ultimatum disguised as a diplomatic encounter.
The “Invitation” to the Berghof
The meeting at the Berghof was designed to be intimidating. Hitler, surrounded by his top officials and military personnel, presented Schuschnigg with a list of demands. The atmosphere was tense, and Schuschnigg was made to feel utterly isolated and under immense pressure.
The Ultimatum: Freezing the Nazi Party andpardoning its Members
Among the key demands were the immediate lifting of the ban on the Austrian Nazi Party and the unconditional release of all imprisoned Nazis, including Arthur Seyß-Inquart, a prominent Austrian Nazi sympathiser. Schuschnigg was also forced to appoint Seyß-Inquart as Minister of the Interior, effectively giving the Nazis a significant foothold in the government.
The Threat of Invasion
Underpinning these demands was the implicit, and often explicit, threat of military intervention. Hitler made it clear that if Austria did not comply, Germany would take matters into its own hands. Schuschnigg, knowing that Austria’s military was no match for Germany’s, found himself in an impossible position. He agreed to the demands, albeit under duress.
The “Plebiscite” and the Mask of Legitimacy
Following the Berchtesgaden meeting, the situation in Austria rapidly deteriorated. Schuschnigg, facing intense internal and external pressure, felt he had no other option but to resign. He attempted one last defiant act, announcing a plebiscite on Austrian independence. However, this attempt to gauge the will of the people was ultimately subverted by Hitler’s aggressive actions.
Schuschnigg’s Resignation
On March 11, 1938, Schuschnigg announced his resignation. He saw this as the only way to prevent bloodshed. His final radio address was poignant, a farewell to the Austrian people he had sworn to protect.
The Nazi Coup and the “Call for Help”
As soon as Schuschnigg resigned, Austrian Nazis, with the backing of German intelligence, moved to seize control. Arthur Seyß-Inquart, now effectively in charge, issued a staged “call for help” to Germany, requesting troops to restore order. This was a complete fabrication, a way to provide a spurious legal justification for the invasion.
German Troops Cross the Border
On March 12, 1938, German troops, the Wehrmacht, streamed across the border into Austria. The invasion was remarkably smooth, met with surprisingly little resistance. The Austrian army was ordered not to oppose the German forces, adding to the sense of inevitability.
The Orchestrated “Yes” Vote
Hitler then went ahead with his own “plebiscite,” held on April 10, 1938. This was not a free and fair vote. The campaign was heavily controlled by the Nazis, with widespread intimidation and propaganda. The outcome was a foregone conclusion: an overwhelming majority “voted” in favour of unification with Germany. The figures were, of course, manipulated to showcase overwhelming support.
The Aftermath: Integration and Suppression
The Anschluss marked the end of Austria as an independent state for over 50 years. The integration of Austria into Nazi Germany was swift and brutal, with the systematic suppression of any opposition and the dismantling of Austrian identity.
Austria Becomes the Ostmark
Austria was officially incorporated into Nazi Germany and renamed the Ostmark. German law was imposed, and Austrian institutions were dissolved or subsumed into their German counterparts. This was not a merger of equals; it was an annexation.
Persecution of Opponents and Minorities
The Nazi regime immediately began its brutal campaign against perceived enemies. Political opponents, socialists, communists, and anyone who had voiced dissent were rounded up and imprisoned or sent to concentration camps. Crucially, this was also the beginning of the systematic persecution of Austria’s Jewish population.
The Intensified Persecution of Jews
Austria had a significant Jewish population, and under Nazi rule, their lives were shattered. They were stripped of their property, their businesses were Aryanised, and they were subjected to public humiliation and violence. The Anschluss was the immediate prelude to the Holocaust for Austrian Jews, with many facing deportation and extermination in the years that followed.
The Erosion of Austrian Identity
The Nazis actively sought to erase Austrian identity, promoting a singular, monolithic German national consciousness. Austrian culture, history, and traditions were either suppressed or reinterpreted to fit the Nazi narrative. The goal was to create a homogenous German population, where regional distinctions were minimised.
The International Response: Appeasement and Inaction
The international reaction to the Anschluss was, for the most part, muted. Britain and France, the key powers that had guaranteed Austrian independence, largely condemned the annexation but were unwilling to take any military action. The memory of World War I was still fresh, and there was a strong desire to avoid another major conflict. This policy of appeasement emboldened Hitler and signalled to him that further aggression would likely go unchecked. The United States, preoccupied with domestic issues, also remained largely on the sidelines. The world watched as the map of Europe was redrawn, a chilling precursor to the greater conflict that was to come.
FAQs
1. What was the Anschluss?
The Anschluss refers to the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany on March 12, 1938. It was a significant event in the lead-up to World War II.
2. What led to the Anschluss?
The Anschluss was facilitated by the rise of Nazi power in Germany and the desire of Adolf Hitler to unite all German-speaking people under one nation. The Austrian government’s inability to resist Nazi pressure also played a role.
3. How did the international community respond to the Anschluss?
The international community largely condemned the Anschluss, viewing it as a violation of Austria’s sovereignty. However, there was little direct action taken to prevent it.
4. What were the consequences of the Anschluss?
The Anschluss led to the incorporation of Austria into Nazi Germany, resulting in the persecution of Jews and political opponents, as well as the suppression of Austrian culture and identity.
5. How did the Anschluss impact the course of World War II?
The Anschluss further emboldened Nazi Germany and contributed to the appeasement policies of other European powers. It also set the stage for further territorial expansion and aggression by Nazi Germany.
