Anschluss, March 1938

What was Anschluss with Austria?

Anschluss is the word given to the union of Germany and Austria. This took place in March 1938, despite being forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles.

When was Anschluss?

Anschluss took place in March 1938.

Why did the Anschluss happen?

Hitler aimed to reunite all German-speaking people into Greater Germany. There were 8 million German speakers in Austria.

Why did Austrians support Anschluss?

A significant proportion of Austrians supported the idea of Anschluss.

• ❖ 96% of Austrians spoke German and considered themselves German.
• ❖ Many Austrians supported the idea of reunification because they felt Austria was a small and economically weak nation.
• ❖ There was already a strong Nazi Party in Austria.

What role did Italy play in Anschluss?

Italy had prevented Germany from uniting with Austria in 1934. By 1936, Germany and Italy had formed the Rome-Berlin Axis, and Hitler gained Mussolini's support before taking action in Austria.

What happened in the Anschluss?

Hitler achieved the union of Germany and Austria in February-March 1938.

• ❖ There was some support for Anschluss, and for the Nazi Party, in the Austrian population.
• ❖ In February 1938 Hitler met with the Austrian chancellor, Kurt Schuschnigg, about what he called the persecution of Austrian Nazis by the Austrian government.
• ❖ Hitler pressured Schuschnigg to give a leading Nazi, called Arthur Seyss-Inquart, the role of Minister of the Interior.
• ❖ Schuschnigg, fearing further interference from Germany, organised a plebiscite on 13th March.
• ❖ On finding out about this, Hitler demanded that Schuschnigg resign and that Seyss-Inquart become chancellor. Schuschnigg agreed.
• ❖ German troops entered Austria on 12th March, 1938 and began to arrest and intimidate political opponents.
• ❖ A plebiscite was held in April and 99.25% of the vote was in favour of the union.

What were the results of Anschluss?

With Anschluss, Germany had actively gone against one of the key clauses of the Treaty of Versailles, but this led to little outcry.

• ❖ Hitler increased Germany's territory, population, army and resources.
• ❖ Britain and France couldn't do much without Italy's support, and against the wishes of the Austrian people. They issued protests but allowed Anschluss to happen.
• ❖ The British refused to help Austria as they felt the treaty had been too harsh and Austria did have a right to be united.

How did Anschluss help Hitler achieve his foreign policy aims?

Anschluss helped Hitler achieve a number of his foreign policy aims including:

• ❖ Anschluss gave Hitler access to the east. Germany now bordered Czechoslovakia on three sides. This would help him achieve the aim of Lebensraum.
• ❖ Austria had an army of 100,000 men and was rich in natural resources, including steel and iron. This would help Hitler rearm.