1938 Anschluss

The 1938 Anschluss was when Nazi Germany annexed Austria, effectively uniting the two countries under German control. Leading up to this, Adolf Hitler aimed to consolidate all German-speaking people and expand Germany’s territory. Austria’s government was pressured and intimidated, and in March 1938, German troops entered Austria without significant resistance. Austria became a part of Nazi Germany, which suppressed Austrian independence and increased Hitler’s power. The Anschluss was condemned internationally and marked a step toward World War II, reflecting aggressive expansionism and the Nazi regime’s ambitions in Europe.