Anschluss with Austria (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Anschluss with Austria
Background and Hitler's motivation
In 1934, Hitler had initially attempted to unite Germany and Austria but failed when Mussolini intervened to prevent this union. However, by 1938, the political landscape had shifted significantly - Mussolini and Hitler had become allies, giving Hitler another opportunity to pursue his goal.
The changing alliance between Mussolini and Hitler was crucial to the timing of the Anschluss. In 1934, Mussolini had been opposed to German expansion into Austria, but by 1938, Italy and Germany had formed the Rome-Berlin Axis, removing this major obstacle to Hitler's plans.
Hitler wanted to achieve Anschluss (meaning "union" in German) between Germany and Austria for several important reasons. The two countries shared deep historical and cultural connections, including a common language and similar traditions. From Hitler's perspective, Austria was a natural part of the German-speaking world that should be incorporated into the Greater German Reich. Additionally, Austria possessed valuable economic resources, particularly iron ore, and had a well-trained army that would strengthen German military capabilities.
This desire for union also fitted with Hitler's concept of Lebensraum (living space), as he sought to expand German territory to accommodate the growing German population and create a more powerful state.
How Hitler achieved the Anschluss
The pressure campaign (1934-1938)
After Engelbert Dollfuss was murdered in 1934, Kurt Schuschnigg became Austria's new chancellor. Schuschnigg was deeply concerned about the growing threat from Austrian Nazis, who were actively working to destabilise his government. To try to maintain control, he made a crucial political deal - if the Nazis supported his administration, they would receive key positions within the Austrian government.
Schuschnigg's decision to include Nazis in his government was a desperate attempt to maintain power, but it ultimately gave the Nazi Party legitimate political influence within Austria, making it easier for them to operate and gain support.
By 1938, Austrian Nazi groups had grown bolder and were openly demonstrating against Schuschnigg's government. When police raided Nazi headquarters, they discovered detailed plans to overthrow the Austrian chancellor, revealing the extent of the threat he faced.
The Berchtesgaden meeting
Feeling increasingly isolated and panicked, Schuschnigg agreed to meet with Hitler at the Führer's mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden. This meeting, which took place with three Nazi generals present, was designed to intimidate the Austrian leader. Hitler made aggressive demands, insisting that Nazis be given control of the Austrian police and that all restrictions on the Nazi Party be removed. He also demanded that any Nazis currently imprisoned be released immediately.
Hitler's intimidation tactics at Berchtesgaden were deliberate psychological warfare. By surrounding Schuschnigg with Nazi generals and making aggressive demands with tight deadlines, Hitler was demonstrating Germany's military superiority and Austria's vulnerable position.
Schuschnigg was given just three days to agree to these terms, or Hitler threatened to invade Austria.
The plebiscite plan
Although Schuschnigg initially agreed to Hitler's demands, he later decided to hold a plebiscite (referendum) asking the Austrian people whether they wanted Anschluss with Germany. This was a calculated political move - if the people voted against union, Hitler would lack justification for invasion.
However, Hitler was furious about this development. In March 1938, he demanded that the plebiscite be delayed, knowing that he would likely lose the vote. When Schuschnigg refused, Hitler forced him to resign and installed Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a Nazi sympathiser, as the new Austrian chancellor.
The invasion and Nazi plebiscite
Seyss-Inquart immediately claimed that Austria was in chaos and requested Hitler's help to restore order. The next day, on 12 March 1938, Nazi troops marched into Austria unopposed.
In April 1938, Hitler organised his own plebiscite, but this was far from free or fair. The vote was presented as supporting Hitler personally rather than just union with Germany, and Nazi stormtroopers were present at polling stations to intimidate voters.
The Manipulated Plebiscite
Hitler's plebiscite was a propaganda exercise rather than a genuine democratic vote. Key manipulation tactics included:
- Presenting the vote as personal support for Hitler
- Having Nazi stormtroopers present at polling stations
- Using extensive propaganda campaigns
- Intimidating potential opposition voters
Despite these tactics showing 99% support for Anschluss, the result was heavily influenced by coercion and fear.
International reactions to the Anschluss
The international response to Germany's annexation of Austria revealed the weakness of the Western powers and their policy of appeasement.
Britain's response: Most British people did not strongly object to the Anschluss, viewing Austria and Germany as essentially the same country anyway. Some British politicians, including Winston Churchill, argued that if Hitler genuinely wanted Anschluss, it should have been achieved through negotiation rather than invasion. However, the British government was not prepared to take military action to prevent it.
Britain's reluctance to intervene militarily reflected both war-weariness from World War I and the belief that Austria and Germany were culturally similar enough that union was somewhat natural. This reaction encouraged Hitler to believe that the Western powers would not oppose his future expansion plans.
France's position: Although France was concerned about the further weakening of the Treaty of Versailles, they faced significant internal problems. The French government had recently changed, and there had been riots about economic difficulties. France was not in a strong position to take decisive action against German expansion.
Czechoslovakia's concerns: The Czechs were understandably very worried about Hitler's expansionist policies, particularly his concept of Lebensraum. They recognised that they would likely be Hitler's next target, as many ethnic Germans lived in the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia.
Significance and consequences
The successful Anschluss had several important consequences that would shape the path towards World War II:
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Strengthened Nazi Germany: The union added approximately 6.5 million people to the German population and provided access to Austria's army and natural resources, particularly iron ore needed for weapons production.
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Demonstrated appeasement: The lack of strong international opposition encouraged Hitler to believe that the Western powers would not intervene in his future expansionist plans.
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Increased tension: The Anschluss represented a clear escalation of tensions in Europe and moved the continent closer to war.
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Strategic positioning: Control of Austria gave Germany a stronger strategic position in Central Europe and brought German forces closer to other potential targets.
The strategic value of Austria extended beyond its resources and population. It provided Germany with a direct border with Italy (strengthening the Rome-Berlin Axis), improved access to the Balkans, and positioned German forces on Czechoslovakia's southern border, making that country much more vulnerable to future German pressure.
Timeline of key events
- 1934: Hitler's first attempt at Anschluss fails due to Mussolini's intervention
- 1934: Dollfuss murdered; Schuschnigg becomes Austrian Chancellor
- 1936: Austrian Nazis begin demonstrating against the government
- Early 1938: Nazi headquarters raided, revealing plans to overthrow Schuschnigg
- February 1938: Berchtesgaden meeting - Hitler pressures Schuschnigg
- March 1938: Schuschnigg announces plebiscite on Anschluss
- 12 March 1938: German troops enter Austria; Seyss-Inquart becomes Chancellor
- April 1938: Nazi-controlled plebiscite shows 99% support for Anschluss
Key Points to Remember:
- The Anschluss was Hitler's second attempt to unite Germany and Austria - his first try in 1934 had failed when Mussolini intervened
- Hitler used a combination of political pressure, intimidation, and ultimately military force to achieve his goal
- The international response was weak, with Britain and France following a policy of appeasement rather than military intervention
- The successful Anschluss strengthened Nazi Germany both militarily and economically, while encouraging Hitler's future expansionist ambitions
- The event demonstrated how effectively Hitler could manipulate political situations and use propaganda to justify his actions to both domestic and international audiences