Anschluss with Austria (1938) Flashcards
What successes had Hitler had in 1935-37 that had left him feeling more confident? (3)
- Saar Plebiscite (1935)
- Remilitarised the Rhineland (1936)
- Successful involvement in Spanish Civil War (1936-39)
What did Hitler believe about Austria?
That Austria and Germany should be united in one German-speaking nation
What does ‘Anschluss’ mean?
Political union
What had outlawed Anschluss?
The Treaty of Versailles
What had Hitler promised to overthrow when he came to power?
The Treaty of Versailles
When had Hitler previously attempted Anschluss?
In 1934
Why had Hitler’s attempted annexation (takeover) of Austria (Anschluss) in 1934 failed?
Mussolini had placed Italian troops on the Austrian border to deter Hitler
Why was the situation in 1938 different from 1934?
Hitler and Mussolini were now allies
What did many (all far from all) Austrians want?
Political union with Germany
What already existed within Austria that made a potential union easier?
A strong Nazi Party who were willing to work for Hitler
Who was the Austrian Chancellor?
Schuschnigg (Schu - sch - nigg)
What did Hitler order the Austrian Nazis to do in 1938?
Stir up trouble and hold demonstrations demanding political union with Germany
Once the Austrian Nazis’ began causing unrest, what did Hitler do?
Told the Austrian Chancellor (Schuschnigg) that only Anschluss (political union) could end these problems
When Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg (Schu - sch - nigg) was given Hitler’s demands for a political union, what step did he initially take?
He asked Britain and France for help
When Schuschnigg asked Britain and France for help, what did he recieve?
No support from either (shock horror)
When Britain and France failed to help Schushnigg, what did he feel compelled to do?
Call a plebiscite (a public vote)
What is a plebiscite?
A public vote / referendum
Which agreement had made Hitler and Mussolini allies/
The Rome-Berlin Axis (1936)
When was the Rome-Berlin Axis signed?
1936
What had Chancellor Schuschnigg done in the years leading up to 1938?
Appeased Hitler in the hope Hitler would not invade
What evidence is there of Schuschnigg appeasing Hitler in the mid-thirties?
Schuschnigg signed the German-Austrian Agreement (1936)
It stated Austria could maintain its independence, but its foreign policy had to be consistent with Germany’s
What did the German-Austrian Agreement (1936) state?
It stated Austria could maintain its independence, but its foreign policy had to be consistent with Germany’s
Why was Hitler furious about the plebiscite in March 1936?
He could lose - and then Hitler’s excuse to march into Austria would be removed?
How did Hitler secure the referendum result?
- German troops invaded Austria (on the invitation of Seyss-Inquart - see other cards)
- German troops then oversaw the plebiscite which took place about a month later than originally planned
