The Origins and the Causes of the First World War - What were the main short-term causes? - Anschluss

6 important questions on The Origins and the Causes of the First World War - What were the main short-term causes? - Anschluss

What is an example before Hitler was in power that implies that it was a common German political ambition to unite with Austria, but also that that French diplomatic strength in the face of Germany was an effective policy?

March 1931: Aims of developing a customs union between Germany and Austria, although this was undermined by French suspicion

French Politician Edouard Herriot; "They must take us for asses if they think that we are able to forget that the political union of Germany was reached by way of a customs union."

What example implies that the reason there wasn't Anschluss before 1936 was due to the fact that in truth Hitler and Mussolini weren't aligned?

July 1934: Mussolini mobilised the Italian Army on the Austrian Frontier

Following mismanaged coup (that Hitler 'knew' about) by Austrian Nazis; where the Austrian Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss was murdered


What is the traditional view in the debate over why Hitler tried Anschluss in 1938?

Hitler had a 'master-plan' and deliberately set out to absorb Austria in 1938. This is supported by Mein Kampf which expressed the idea of German-Austrian Unity from the first page
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What is A.J.P Taylor's retort to the traditional view in the debate over why Hitler tried Anschluss in 1938?

A.J.P . Taylor in Origins of the Second World War (1961) emphasised that Hitler wanted to deal with the Sudetenland first; however his hand was forced by 2 factors:
  1. Continuing agitation by Austrian Nazis led by Arthur Seyss-Inquart
  2. Then, the way in which the new Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg confronted Hitler and forced him to disown the agitators

However, he doesn't say that Hitler didn't fail to exploit these circumstances.

What was British and French reaction to Anschluss?

Britain:
Only made a formal protest


France:
No French Government; Camille Chautempts had resigned four days earlier and Leon Blumb had yet to take office

What was Austrian reaction to Anschluss?

Approval in referendums:
  • Germany: 99.08%
  • Austria: 99.75%

Obviously in part due to fear; but also pan-German feeling

"In Austria we were not met with rifle shots and bombs; only one thing was thrown at us, flowers." - Hermann Goering 1945 at Nuremberg trials

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