Anschluss

Anschluss is a name give to the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938. Adolf Hitler, who was Chancellor of Germany at that time, had enforced resignation of Austrian chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg by demanding admittance of Nazis into his Cabinet. Though Arthur Seyss-Inquart was made Minister of Public Security. Hitler later threatened invasion of Austria, and demanded Chancellor Von Schuschnigg's resignation and the appointment of the Nazi Arthur Seyss-Inquart as his replacement. However, President Wilhelm Miklas refused to appoint Seyss-Inquart as Chancellor. On March 11, at 8:45 pm, Hitler, tired of waiting, ordered the invasion to commence at dawn on March 12. Miklas also had to resign and the pro-Nazi Seyss-Inquart was appointed new Chancellor in the mid-night. He invited German troops on the pretext to restore law and order in Austria, and thus Austria was annexed. Germans called it 'joining' (Anschluss in German) of Austria, which was for rest of the world an annexation by force. In the radio broadcast in which the President of Austria announced his resignation, he said that he accepted the changes and allowed the Nazis to take over the government 'to avoid the shedding of fraternal blood'.

Nearby pages
Ansel Adams, Ansh, Anshan, Anshuman, ANSI