Anschluss, 1938 (AQA GCSE History)
Revision Note
Why was Anschluss so important for Hitler? - Summary
Anschluss was important to Hitler for personal reasons. Hitler was born in Austria and believed Austria and Germany should be united as one country. He felt a strong, personal connection to Austria and wanted it to be part of a greater German empire.
Hitler's foreign policy aims also made Anschluss a key goal. He wanted to create a Grossdeutschland that included all German-speaking people. This idea was part of his larger plan to expand Germany's territory and increase its power in Europe. By uniting Austria with Germany, Hitler believed he could strengthen his nation and move closer to achieving his dream of a greater Germany.
Anschluss was also important for Hitler because it helped him gain more resources and strategic advantages. Austria had valuable resources, such as iron, that would help Germany build its military and economy. Additionally, by controlling Austria, Germany could launch future territorial expansions in Europe.
Causes of Anschluss
Many Austrians supported the idea of Anschluss because:
The majority of Austrians, around 98%, spoke German
Germany was a series of states before it united as a country in 1871
These states covered parts of Austria
They felt that Austria had a weak economy without Germany
There was a strong Nazi Party in Austria
The Dollfuss Affair (1934) showed the willingness of the Party to use violence to achieve their aims
By March 1938, Hitler had united Austria with Germany unopposed
Events of Anschluss
Consequences of Anschluss
Initial reactions to Anschluss
Country | Reaction to Anschluss |
|---|---|
Austria | Openly, the majority of Austrians supported Anschluss. However, stormtroopers intimidated Austrian voters at the polling stations. Secretly, a significant number of Austrians were unhappy about Nazi control of Austria. The government began to arrest opponents and persecute Jewish people |
Britain | Many British citizens believed that Austria and Germany were similar countries and should unite |
France | France was going through political chaos during Anschluss. They were unable to react against Germany |
Germany | Hitler used Anschluss as a propaganda victory for the Nazis. Hitler believed that Anschluss had achieved his foreign policy aim of Grossdeutschland |
Czechoslovakia | Austria bordered Czechoslovakia. The government knew that Hitler would plan an invasion of Czechoslovakia next. Hitler’s policy of Lebensraum meant that he would expand Germany into Eastern Europe. Czechoslovakia contained Slavs which Hitler considered as Untermenschen (subhuman). Czechoslovakia had agreements with Britain and France that they would protect Czechoslovakia from an invasion by Hitler |
Consequences of Anschluss to Europe
Europe had to accept Anschluss
The Austrian people had voted in a plebiscite to unite with Germany
It would be legally and morally wrong to disregard an official vote
Anschluss successfully overturned another term of the Treaty of Versailles
Hitler became more powerful
Hitler gained Austria’s army and resources
This expanded Hitler’s armed forces
Hitler became more confident
Austria had historically never been a part of Germany
Hitler realised that he could take bigger risks in his foreign policy
Hitler was no longer just overturning the Treaty of Versailles. He was making Germany much bigger than it had been before the First World War
Worked Example
How useful are Sources B and C to an historian studying Anschluss
[12 marks]
Source B: A photograph of Hitler's arrival in Vienna in March 1938. The original caption states: “The Führer's arrival in Vienna on Monday afternoon turned out to be a triumphal entry, the likes of which no statesman has ever experienced.”
Source C: An extract from When Hitler Took Austria (2008). The author of the book is Kurt von Schuschnigg, the son of the former Austrian Chancellor ‘Crowds on that March 12 included the unconvinced and the skeptical, as well as the curious. People gathered as if drawn by a magnet; but their presence did not endorse the new political environment, nor did it contradict the findings of recent government polls [that between 65 and 70% of Austrians wanted to retain independence from Germany]’ |
Partial answer:
Source B is useful to an historian studying Anschluss because it shows the popular support of Hitler. The photograph shows large crowds of people saluting and waving at Hitler’s arrival in Vienna. There is evidence to back up the popularity of Anschluss in Austria. In the plebiscite, over 99% of Austrians voted in favour of Anschluss. Therefore, the source is useful for a historian as it portrays how popular Hitler’s actions in Austria were to the people. As the source is a photograph, it is useful in showing a snapshot of what Vienna looked like in 1938. The photograph does not show the intentions of why each individual in this crowd went to Hitler’s arrival.
Exam Tip
This question requires you to discuss the usefulness of both sources, using specific details and your knowledge. Unlike the ‘How Useful’ question in Paper 2A, this version of the question in Conflict & Tension: The Inter-War Years, 1918–1939 requires you to write a conclusion. You should address how the sources are more useful together for an historian studying the topic specified in the question.
To complete this answer, you should have one paragraph analysing the usefulness of Source C and a paragraph for your conclusion.
For further guidance on this question, you can read this revision note on how to answer the 12-mark “How Useful” question.
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