Hitler’s Expansionist Policy (German Unification with Austria)

German Unification with Austria (1938)

• In Mein Kampf, Hitler clearly stated for Germany and Austria to be merged together
• Treaty of Versailles: did not allow for Austria to join Germany after World War I.
• Many Germans & Austrians wanted to be united, more so since the Versailles Treaty did not allow Austria to join Germany, which was seen as contradicting the principle of selfdetermination which the Allies themselves had insisted on.
• Hitler was stopped before by Mussolini in 1934; this time they were allies.
• Hitler encouraged Austrian Nazis to make trouble & push for Anschluss (political union) with Germany. Hitler also pressurised Austrian Chancellor, Kurt Schuschnigg, that this was the only way to stop demonstrations and riots in Austria.
• Schuschnigg called for a plebiscite (vote by people of the country to express an opinion for or against government’s proposal). It showed 99.75% of Austrians voted for Anschluss.
• Austria was annexed on 13 March 1938 – a clear violation of Versailles Treaty but no action by Britain and France.
• Germany gained access to Austria’s resources of gold & iron, as well as army & weapons.