How Austria lost its independence

G2 Full History - syllabus K227, 2027

Germany took over Austria in March 1938 by threats and troops; the Nazi-run vote came afterwards and was not free.

Austria was an independent country next to Germany. Anschluss means union. Hitler said Austrians and Germans shared a language and identity. But the peace treaties banned union. Austrian Nazis stirred up trouble. In 1934, Italy had opposed a takeover. By 1938, Mussolini was closer to Hitler and no longer stood in the way.

In March 1938, Austria's chancellor, Kurt Schuschnigg, planned a vote on independence. Hitler demanded he cancel it and resign. German troops marched in on 12 March, and union was declared the next day. Austria lost its independence and became part of Germany.

On 10 April, the Nazis held a referendum, a public vote. Some Austrians did welcome union. But the vote was not a free test of opinion: the takeover had already happened, opponents were silenced and many were barred from voting. Germany gained people and resources, and now surrounded western Czechoslovakia on three sides. Austrian Jews and opponents faced persecution at once.

12 March 1938
German troops enter Austria.
Anschluss
Union of Austria with Germany.
10 April 1938
Nazi-run referendum after the takeover.

Worked example: What can a vote after a takeover show?

The April 1938 referendum reported huge support for union.

  1. Timing: the takeover happened in March, before the vote.
  2. Conditions: opponents could not campaign, and many could not vote.
  3. So it shows Nazi propaganda, not a free choice.

Watch out for this

The referendum proves Austria freely chose to join Germany.

The vote came after the takeover, under Nazi control, so it was not free.

Check your understanding

Why is the April 1938 referendum weak evidence of Austrian wishes?

  1. It was held before German troops arrived.
  2. It was held after the takeover, with opponents silenced and many barred.
  3. Most Austrians voted against union.
Sources and context

Background reading for this chapter.

  • A public commitment to consultation

    Anglo-German declaration signed by Hitler and Chamberlain, 30 September 1938, as read in Chamberlain's House of Commons statement on 3 October. Paraphrase of the declaration, not the whole speech.

  • Chamberlain defends Munich

    Neville Chamberlain, British prime minister, addressing the House of Commons, 3 October 1938, after returning from Munich. Paraphrase of passages on the agreement, Czechoslovakia, future peace and rearmament.

  • Churchill challenges the settlement

    Winston Churchill, Conservative MP and critic of the government's appeasement policy, speaking in the House of Commons, 5 October 1938. Paraphrase of passages on deterrence and Czechoslovakia.

  • A record of Hitler's private discussion

    Colonel Friedrich Hossbach's memorandum, dated 10 November 1937, recording Hitler's meeting with senior military and foreign-policy officials on 5 November. Paraphrase of the recorded discussion; the memorandum is not a word-for-word transcript.

  • Munich Pact, 29 September 1938, clauses 1-4

    Munich Pact, dated 29 September 1938 and signed by Germany, Britain, France and Italy in the early hours of 30 September. Paraphrase of clauses 1-4; Czechoslovakia was later represented on the implementation commission.

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