Anschluss with Austria: 1938 (example of Hitler directly breaking a term of the TOV)

what was Anschluss and why did Hitler want this

• was a political union

• hitler wanted to merge Austria and Germany

  • he wanted more soldiers

  • it would help him achieve Lebensraum

• many Austrians supported union

hitler had tried to achieve Anschluss in 1934 but had failed why was he more hopeful for a success in 1938?

• he failed before because Mussolini stopped him but not Hitler and Mussolini were allies

describe Hitler’s actions in Austria 1938

• strong nazi party in Austria, Hitler asked them to stir up trouble for the government and hold demonstrations demanding union with Germany

• Hitler told chancellor Schuschnigg (Austrian guy) that only Anschluss could sort out there problems

what did Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg do in response?

• appealed to B+F but they failed to provide any support

• called a plebiscite to see what Austrians wanted

what was the outcome of the plebiscite

• 99.75% voted for Anschluss (under the watchful eye of the nazi party)

  • hitler sent troops into Austria in march 1938 (to guarantee a trouble free vote)

  • nazi troops intimidated voters

how did B+F respond to Anschluss

• they felt that Austria and Germany had a right to unite and the TOV was wrong to separate them

• no military confrontation

• Britain realised and decided to carry on spending further on rearmament

why was Anschluss such a significant victory for Hitler

• meant he gained Austria’s soldiers, weapons and it’s rich deposits of gold and Iron ore

• he broke another term of the TOV with no consequences

• seemed clear to him that B+F were not prepared to go to war to defend it

• gained confidence