The Anschluss with Austria Flashcards
What is the overriding point for why Hitler’s aggression was opportunistic not panned in Austria?
only decided upon very late
only acted in response to short-term developments
February 1938?
Hitler concluded peaceful agreement with Austrian Chancellor
What did the peaceful agreement between Germany and Austria ensue?
ban on the nazi party in austria lifted
imprisoned nazi activists released
appoint nazis into their cabinet
coordinate its foreign, military, economic policies with those of germany
What did Hitler think about formal occupation?
it was unnecessary
Why did Hitler think formal occupation was unnecessary?
formal occupation unnecessary because the agreement would turn austria into a satellite state to germany anyway
strong dilution of Austria’s integrity as a sovereign state, under german domination
What caused Hitlers nervousness?
Schuschnigg’s decision to call a plebiscite on the agreement and austria’s independence
What was the reaction to the plebiscite in Germany?
Hiitler had not expected it
but did not order invasion in a fit of rage
herman goering urged him to
What was Anschluss an outcome of?
the outcome of short-term crisis which developed in a manner far different
How did Hitler act?
rather than implementing long-term plans he acted nervously throughout
Was the situation hitler’s making?
hitler was exploiting or being encouraged to exploit a situation not entirely his making
Did Anschluss occur in vacuum?
Anschluss did not occur in a vacuum
intentionalist interpretation: Why did Anschluss not occur in a vacuum?
placing the event in context
July 1934 Austrian Nazis had attempted a coup assassinating the then chancellor Dollfuss
july 1936 Austro-German agreement
nazi policy had been consisently pushing in the direction of undermining austria’s independence
5 november 1937 meeting outlined expansionist goals with the possibility of overthrowing czech and austria
mein kamf ‘german austria must return to the great german mother country…one blood demands one reich’
If Anschluss did not occur in a vacuum what was it a culmination of?
Anschluss was a culmination of ongoing pressure from Nazi Germany to bring Austria within its sphere
some elements of the Nazi movement had been trying to engineer closer links between Germany and Austria from the outset
Why did Kurt Schuschnigg seek a meeting with Hitler on 12 February to arrange an agreement?
Austrian supporters of Hitler were agitating on his behalf despite bans on their activities
What is there to suggests that hitler was a weak dictator’?
the important role goring played in encouraging hitler to push for progress on the austrian issue can be given as evidence of hitler’s indecisiveness
