Why did Austria not resist the Anschluss in 1938?

In March 1938, Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany – an event that became known as the Anschluss. Surprisingly, this political upheaval took place with almost no resistance from the Austrian government or population. Several factors explain this behaviour. 

Many Austrians felt culturally, linguistically and ethnically connected to the Germans. The idea of a common „Greater German“ national feeling was widespread – and not just since the First World War. After the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy, Austria had shrunk to a small remnant state. 

Many German-speaking areas (such as South Tyrol, the Sudetenland or parts of present-day Styria) suddenly belonged to foreign-language states. The economic hardship during the Great Depression also increased the desire for stability and belonging to a strong power such as the German Reich. 

The domestic political situation also contributed to passivity. After a brief civil war, an authoritarian regime ruled from 1933 under Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuß. He initially cultivated close relations with Mussolini, but after Dollfuß’s assassination by National Socialists in July 1934, Austria lost Italy’s support. Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg was under increasing pressure – weakened in domestic politics, isolated in foreign policy and outmatched militarily. When Hitler threatened an invasion, even Archduke Otto von Habsburg advised armed defence – but Schuschnigg refused in order to avoid war. 

Schuschnigg resigned on 11 March 1938, and a day later German troops marched in – largely unchallenged. In many cities, including Vienna, they were greeted enthusiastically, especially Hitler, himself a native Austrian. The international reaction was weak. Great Britain and France followed the appeasement policy under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and did not intervene. The League of Nations was also powerless. Only a few states such as Mexico, Chile and republican Spain protested. 

To summarise, the Anschluss was the result of cultural proximity, political instability, economic hardship and international inaction. While there was certainly individual resistance, there was no collective resistance – the Anschluss went almost without a hitch. 

The Anschluss happened with little resistance due to strong cultural ties to Germany, political and economic instability in Austria, and weak international opposition. This important event is a warning for our future to identify and prevent the rise of anti-democratic and extremist organizations early on. 

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