Anschluss with Austria 1938 Flashcards
What does Anschluss mean?
Union of Austria and Germany (forbidden by ToV)
Who was Chancellor of Austria in 1938?
Schuschnigg
Who did Hitler force the Austrian Chancellor to appoint as Minister of the Interior (in charge of police)?
Seyss-Inquart (Nazi supporter)
After this appointment what did Hitler and the Nazis encourage across Austria?
Riots and demonstrations by Nazis in Austria
What did the Austrian Chancellor call to try and end the disturbances?
Plebiscite (vote) for Austrian people to see if they wanted to remain independent
Why was Hitler so concerned by this plebiscite (vote)?
He knew he had some support in Austria but couldn’t risk it (Schuschnigg had not asked Hitler’s permission)
Why did the Austrian Chancellor resign?
- Hitler moved German troops to the border and forced him to call off the vote
- Schuschnigg had hoped for support from GB and France but that didn’t happen
Who became the new Chancellor and what did they do?
Seyss-Inquart and he invites the Germans in to restore order
How does Hitler quickly take control of Austria?
- 80,000 of Hitler opponents were rounded up and sent to concentration camps
- Seyss-Inquart hands power over to Hitler
What percentage of people in Austria do the Germans claim voted in favour of the Anschluss in April 1938?
99.75%
Why did GB not take action against the Anschluss of 1938?
- Austrians voted in favour of it
- German speaking people in there
- GB more frightened of communism in the USSR
How did the Anschluss strengthen Hitler’s confidence?
- Austrian army and resources can be used
- Another part of the ToV overturned
- Germany now possessed 3 sides of the Sudetenland (3 million German speaking people) - next target
- Alliance with Mussolini proved useful
