Annexation of Austria
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The annexation of Austria, also known as the Anschluss, occurred on March 12, 1938. This was when Nazi Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, officially annexed Austria into the German Reich.
The annexation of Austria was a violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which had placed strict limitations on the size and power of the German military, and prohibited the reunion of Germany and Austria. However, Hitler openly defied the treaty and sought to reunite all German-speaking peoples under the banner of the Third Reich, which included Austria.
Hitler utilized a combination of military intimidation and political maneuvering to achieve his goal of annexing Austria. The Nazis orchestrated a series of riots and protests, which they blamed on the Austrian government, and used this as a pretext to demand the incorporation of Austria into Germany. Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg was placed under house arrest, and the Nazis declared Austria part of the German Reich.
The annexation was met with mixed reactions from the international community. Some countries, such as Italy and Great Britain, were initially supportive of Hitler’s actions, while others, such as France, viewed it as a direct threat to their national interests. The United States strongly condemned the annexation, and took economic and diplomatic measures to isolate Germany.
The annexation of Austria was a significant event that paved the way for further Nazi expansion in Europe. It demonstrated Hitler’s willingness to defy international law and his willingness to use force to achieve Germany’s goals. The Anschluss was a major turning point in the lead up to World War II and remains a significant event in European history today.
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