Anschluss is German for “unification.” Many refer to the joining of Austria with Germany prior to World War II as an annexation—the forcible acquisition of a state—but judging how Austrians filled the streets on March 12, 1938 to cheerfully welcome the fucking Nazis marching into their country, the word annexation doesn’t quite fit.
--On This Day in History Shit Went Down: March 12, 1938--
And it wasn’t just the fascist-lovers cheering the Nazis on, but people from across the political spectrum. The reasoning is that Austria in the 1930s was the shattered remains of a once-great empire that was devastated by World War I. The treaties following that war said hey Austria, no joining up with Germany, because we don’t want to have to go through this world war bullshit again. Two decades later, the country wasn’t doing so hot and saw big Germany as a potential savior.
Late in the 1930s Austria was still suffering from the Great Depression and had a lot of skilled people sitting around doing fuck all because there was no work. Germany had gone through a rapid re-armament in a fuck you to the 1919 Treaty of Versailles and looked south at all those potential soldiers and weapons-manufacturing workers, plus all Austria’s natural resources, and said “Hmmm . . .”
The German Nazis launched a propaganda campaign in Austria promoting slogans like “One People, One Empire, One Leader.” And like a bitch in heat Austria said, “Take me.” Well, there was a bit more to it than that. Austrian Nazis launched terror attacks against their government and killed the Austrian Chancellor. Hitler put continued pressure on Austria to join Germany. Finally, in 1938 Austria said fine we’ll vote on it. How does March 13 sound?
Hitler said fuck your vote and invaded Austria on March 12, 1938, unopposed by the Austrian military. The cheering crowds welcomed them with Nazi salutes, Nazi flags, and flowers. Most Austrians were thrilled with this idea of a “Greater Germany” and besides Hitler was born in Austria so he’s one of us and we also don’t like Jews so come on in.
Hitler’s popularity in Austria was massive, and anyone who spoke out against him got the brutal Nazi oppression they were well known for. A referendum on the “annexation” was held on April 10. The “Yes” on the ballot was in large font, and the “No” was in small font in a “You better fucking vote the way we want” not-so-subtle hint. The vote was 99.71% in favor of annexation, so, yeah, there was probably a bit of vote rigging too. Classic Nazi.
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