The+Anschluss+Crisis

=__ The Anschluss Crisis: Austria __= // The occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. // // By Eric M //

  The treaty of Versailles as well as the Treaty of St. Germain specifically forbade the unification of Austria and Germany (known as Anschluss) after the First World War. The Austrian Empire was once a powerful state, but lost a vast reduction in size and population due to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles at the Paris Peace Conference. Political tensions increased, as the state's economy grew more and more unbalanced. In 1934, the Nazi's had attempted a putsch to overthrow the Austrian government by assassinating Christian Socialist, Chancellor Dollfuss, but the putsch had failed. The replacement for Dollfuss, Kurt von Schuschnigg, was also anti-Nazi.  Because Italy had special terms with Austria, Benito Mussolini threatened Hitler with military aid to Austria if she were invaded. In 1936, Hitler signed the Austro-Germany Treaty, declaring Austria a culturally German state and promised an independent Austria. With all said and done, the Nazis already had a large party formed inside Austria
 * __Background __**

 Hitler and Schuschnigg met at Berchtesgaden in February of 1936, where Hitler gave an ultimatum announcing that he must take pressure off the Austrian Nazi Party and he must make Seyss-Inquart (the leader of the Austrian Nazi Party), Minister of the Interior. This would give the Nazis control of the police force in Austria. With no base to resist against Hitler, Schuschnigg was forced to agree. As a major stepping-stone, the Nazis increased their agitation inside Austria.  In 1938, Hitler attempted a second Nazi seize on Austria; this time with the support of Benito Mussolini from Italy. Hitler summoned von Schuschnigg to his mountain retreat in Germany where he bullied von Schuschnigg and forced him to: legalize the Nazi Party in Austria, admit some Nazis to the Austrian cabinet, and prepare for the assimilation of Austria into the German political system -- Anschluss. In fear, von Schuschnigg reaffirmed Austrian independence with a plebiscite to decide whether Austria would become a part of Germany on March 9th, 1938. Hitler told Schuschnigg that this violated the Berchtesgaden agreement and that he should resign, turning the government over to Seyss-Inquart, or face invasion within the hour.  Schuschnigg then resigned on March 11, 1938, in order to avoid bloodshed. He was replaced by Seyss-Inquart and now Hitler was free to operate. On March 12th, German troops invaded Austria without opposition. One day later, Seyss-Inquart passed a law, which abolished Austrian sovereignty, making Austria an integral part of Germany. A plebiscite was held on the 10th of April, where "99.75%" approved the new terms. Breaking the terms of the Treaty of Versailles and St. Germain, Adolf Hitler performed Anschluss. media type="youtube" key="cHCpMfLVzos" height="283" width="378" align="center"
 * __Annexation __**