The Anschluss: Austria's Annexation into Nazi Germany

In this episode of The History of Austria, Lucas and Luna explore the Anschluss of 1938 — the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany. They discuss the political backdrop, including the rise of Austrofascism under Engelbert Dollfuss and Kurt Schuschnigg, the failed July Putsch of 1934, and the Berchtesgaden meeting where Schuschnigg was bullied into submission. The narrative covers the last-ditch effort of a referendum, the pressure from Hitler, and the eventual bloodless invasion on March 12, 1938. They reflect on the reception of the Anschluss by Austrians, the role of figures like Arthur Seyss-Inquart, and the aftermath including the Holocaust in Austria. The episode concludes by questioning Austria's post-war narrative as 'Hitler's first victim' and examines the unresolved legacy of this period. Specific terms include the Ständestaat, the July Agreement of 1936, the Osterspiel code word, and the Heldenplatz speech. #Anschluss #NaziGermany #1938 #Austrofascism #Dollfuss #Schuschnigg #SeyssInquart #Berchtesgaden #Heldenplatz #March1938 #WWII #EuropeanHistory #AustrianHistory #Hitler #StNdestaat #JulyPutsch #Annexation #History #HabsburgDynasty #HolyRomanEmpire Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo