Key Dates: The Anschluss, March 12th 1938
DATE
EVENT
 28th June 1919 - Treaty of Versailles banned the union of Austria and
Germany.
 Early 1930’s
- Nazi agitation throughout Austria
 July 1934
- Assassination of Dolfuss, attempted Nazi take over.
- Mussolini intervened and Germany forced to back
down.
 July 1936
- Austro-German agreement to respect Austrian
independence but Austria had to agree to allow Nazi’s in
govt posts and agree not to ban Nazi Party again.
 5th November
1937
- Hossbach memorandum written after senior Nazi’s
meet to discuss expansion plans.
 Jan 1938
- Raid on Nazi Party offices in Austria revealed plot to
overthrow Schuschnigg and cause trouble – he banned
the Nazi Party.
 12th February
1938
- Hitler and Schuschnigg meet.
- Schuschnigg agrees to allow Nazi Party and appoint
Nazi’s to senior government posts.
- On his return to Austria Schuschnigg attempts to
regain control by holding a plebiscite.
 11th March
1938
- Hitler demanded plebiscite be cancelled.
- Then demanded Schuschnigg be replaced by Seyss-
Inquart. Austrian President agreed.
- This led to a ‘request’ from S-I for help from
Germany to stabilise the country.
 12th March
1938
- German troops march into Austria
 13th March
1938
- proposed date of Schuschnigg’s plebiscite
- German take over of Austria
 April 1938
- Plebiscite held in Austria by Hitler – 99.75% in favour
of Austria uniting with Germany