The Anschluss: Austria's Forced Union with Nazi Germany

In March 1938, German troops crossed the border into Austria, and the country was absorbed into the Third Reich. This episode explores the events leading up to the Anschluss—the political pressure, the failed 1934 coup, and the role of Austrian Nazis. We discuss Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg's last-ditch referendum attempt, the ultimatum from Hitler, and the muted international response. Lucas and Luna reflect on the scene in Vienna, the jubilant crowds that greeted Hitler, and the immediate aftermath: the suppression of dissent, the fate of Jews, and the consolidation of Nazi power. The episode also touches on the legal framework of the union and its long-term consequences for Austrian identity. A nuanced look at a controversial chapter in Austrian history, avoiding simple narratives of victimhood or complicity. #Anschluss #Austria #NaziGermany #KurtSchuschnigg #AdolfHitler #ArthurSeyssInquart #1938 #Berchtesgaden #Referendum #Vienna #Heldenplatz #ThirdReich #Ostmark #WWII #EuropeanHistory #FexingoHistory #History #20thCentury #AustrianHistory #HabsburgDynasty Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo