12th March 1938: Nazi German troops annex Austria in the Anschluss скачать в хорошем качестве

12th March 1938: Nazi German troops annex Austria in the Anschluss

The idea of unifying Germany and Austria had existed since at least the 19th century but, in the aftermath of the First World War, it was prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles. Despite this, the later rise of Austrian-born Adolf Hitler in neighbouring Germany made annexation more likely. In 1934 the Chancellor, Engelbert Dollfuss, was assassinated in an attempted coup by the Austrian Nazi party. Although Dollfuss’s successor, Kurt Schuschnigg, attempted to maintain Austrian independence, he faced increasing pressure from Germany. On 9 March 1938, in an attempt to demonstrate public opposition to unification, Schuschnigg announced a referendum on Austrian independence. However, before the vote could take place, Hitler ordered troops to prepare for an invasion. On 11 March, Schuschnigg resigned under pressure, and the Austrian president appointed Arthur Seyss-Inquart, a Nazi supporter, as Chancellor. The following day, German forces entered Austria without resistance and incorporated Austria into Germany. A referendum was held on 10 April that showed overwhelming support for the Anschluss, but the vote was only held after many Nazi opponents had been arrested while propaganda dominated the campaign. Nevertheless the annexation was largely accepted internationally, with Britain and France offering little resistance to Austria ceasing to exist as an independent state and instead being absorbed into the German Reich. It also strengthened Hitler’s confidence in pursuing further territorial expansion that would eventually lead to the outbreak of the Second World War.