The Anschluss was the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938. Adolf Hitler, born in Austria, had long sought union of the two German-speaking states, which was forbidden by the peace treaties after the First World War. In early 1938 he put pressure on Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg, who tried to hold a plebiscite on Austrian independence, and German troops crossed the border on 12 March, to a welcome from many Austrians. A plebiscite held under Nazi control in April produced an overwhelming vote in favor of the union. Austria was then absorbed into the Reich, and persecution of Jews and opponents began immediately. The country regained independence in 1945.
Before and after
- 25 January 1938Birth of Vladimir Vysotsky
- 30 January 1938Birth of Islam Karimov
- 31 January 1938Birth of Beatrix of the Netherlands
- from 18 February 1938 to 23 August 1943Bombing of Chongqing
- 12 March 1938Anschluss
- from 24 March 1938 to 1 April 1946National Mobilization Law
- 8 April 1938Birth of Kofi Annan
- 29 June 1938Establishment of Olympic National Park
- 6 July 1938Discovery of Lysithea
More in Wars, politics & history
- from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918World War I
- 28 June 1919Treaty of Versailles
- 4 June 1920Treaty of Trianon
- from 1933 to 1945The Holocaust
- 30 January 1933Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany
- from 1 September 1939 to 2 September 1945World War II
The era
This moment belongs to the Modern era (1914 CE to 1945 CE), world wars and a changing world. You can also browse everything in the 20th century.