What Happened in Austria in 1938? The Anschluss — Nazi Annexation

The Anschluss (March 12, 1938)

On March 12, 1938, German Wehrmacht troops crossed the Austrian border unopposed, and Austria was annexed into the Third Reich. A staged plebiscite (April 10) reported 99.7% approval — under intimidation, with Jews/Roma excluded.

Background: Hitler's Austrian Obsession

• Hitler, Austrian-born, viewed union (Anschluss) as fulfilling pan-German destiny.
• 1934: Failed Nazi coup (Dollfuss assassinated); Mussolini honored treaty, moved troops to Brenner Pass — Hitler backed down.
• 1936: Austro-German Agreement — Austria recognized as "German state"; Nazis entered cabinet.
• Feb 1938: Hitler summoned Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg to Berchtesgaden; demanded Nazi control of police/army.
• March 9: Schuschnigg announced plebiscite on independence (March 13).
• March 11: Hitler ultimatum — cancel plebiscite, resign, appoint Nazi Seyss-Inquart as Chancellor. Schuschnigg resigned; President Miklas refused to appoint Seyss-Inquart — then capitulated.

Immediate Aftermath

• Austrian Nazis seized power; SS/Gestapo arrested ~70,000 opponents (Socialists, Catholics, monarchists, Jews).
• Vienna's 180,000 Jews (3% of pop) faced immediate persecution: property seizure, forced emigration, humiliation (scrubbing streets).
• Mauthausen concentration camp established August 1938.
• International response: Protests only. Chamberlain: "A quarrel in a far-away country."

Historical Significance

The Anschluss emboldened Hitler, shattered the post-WWI order, and directly enabled the Munich Crisis (Sept 1938) and invasion of Czechoslovakia (March 1939). It was the first major territorial aggression by Nazi Germany — a turning point toward WWII.