Anschluss

Quick Facts: Who was Anschluss?

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Anschluss

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The 1938 annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, marking a major geopolitical shift.

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Origins & Early Life

The Anschluss (German: [ˈʔanʃlʊs] , or Anschluß, lit. 'joining' or 'connection'), also known as the Anschluß Österreichs (, English: Annexation of Austria), was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938. The idea of an Anschluss (a united Austria and Germany that would form a "Greater Germany") arose after the 1871 unification of Germany excluded Austria and the German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire. It gained support after the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell in 1918. The new Republic of German-Austria attempted to form a union with Germany, but the 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles forbade both the union and the continued use of the name "German-Austria" (Deutschösterreich); they also stripped Austria of some of its territories, such as the Sudetenland.

Career & Major Achievements

This left Austria without most of the territories it had ruled for centuries amidst an economic crisis. By the 1920s, the Anschluss proposal had strong support in both Austria and Germany, particularly from many Austrian citizens of the political left and center. One vehement supporter was prominent Social Democrat leader Otto Bauer, who served as the Austrian foreign minister in 1918–1919. Support for unification with Germany came mainly from the belief that Austria, stripped of its imperial land, was not viable economically. Popular support for the unification faded with time, although it remained as a concept in the contemporary Austrian political discourse.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 30 January 1933, Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany. From then on, desire for unification could be identified with the Nazi regime, for whom it was an integral part of the Nazi "Heim ins Reich" ("back home to the realm") concept, which sought to incorporate as many Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans outside Germany) as possible into a "Greater Germany". Nazi Germany's agents cultivated pro-unification tendencies in Austria, and sought to undermine the Austrian government, which was controlled by the Fatherland Front, which opposed unification. During an attempted coup in July 1934, Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated by Austrian Nazis. The defeat of the coup prompted many leading Austrian Nazis to go into exile in Germany, where they continued their efforts to unify the two countries.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1871: 1871 Milestone — The idea of an Anschluss (a united Austria and Germany that would form a "Greater Germany") arose after the 1871 unification of Germany excluded Austria and the German Austrians from the Prussian-dominated German Empire.
2. 1918: 1918 Milestone — It gained support after the Austro-Hungarian Empire fell in 1918.
3. 1919: 1919 Milestone — The new Republic of German-Austria attempted to form a union with Germany, but the 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles forbade both the union and the continued use of the name "German-Austria" (Deutschösterreich); they also stripped Austria of some of its territories, such as the Sudetenland.
4. 1933: 1933 Milestone — On 30 January 1933, Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany.
5. 1934: 1934 Milestone — During an attempted coup in July 1934, Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss was assassinated by Austrian Nazis.
6. 1938: 1938 Milestone — 'joining' or 'connection'), also known as the Anschluß Österreichs (, English: Annexation of Austria), was the annexation of the Federal State of Austria into Nazi Germany on 12 March 1938.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Anschluss

True or False: “Did the Treaty of Versailles explicitly allow for the union between Austria and Germany?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The 1919 Treaty of Saint Germain and Treaty of Versailles specifically forbade both the union and the continued use of the name 'German-Austria'.

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