Reactions to the Anschluss

1
Reactions to the Anschluss
2
British Reaction

• The British government protested strongly
  (Churchill).
• The many reasons behind the policy of
  appeasement, however, prevented them from taking
  stronger action.

3
British Reaction

• Neville Chamberlain had become Prime Minister in
  May 1937 and wanted to improve relations with
  Germany
• Considered Austria to be within Germanys sphere
  of interest as Austrians were really Germans

4
British Reaction

• Nevertheless, it also seemed that Austria was
  too far away from Britain and too close to
  Germany for Britain to take effective action
• The Austrian people generally welcomed the
  Anschluss and that it would be silly to defend
  their independence against their own wishes

5
Italian reaction

• Little Mussolini could do
• Germany was far too strong and had widespread
  support inside Austria
• Hitler did not clear invasion plan with Italy
• However Mussolini sent Hitler a message Austria
  did not interest him at all
• Hitler was relieved

6
Czechoslovakia reaction

• Could not do anything
• Now in a dangerous position surrounded on 3 sides
• Hitler sent message to assure Czechoslovakia that
  they had nothing to worry about
• They did not believe Hitler

7
French reaction

• Changing governments again
• Not in a position to react
• Although in agreement with the international
  community that nothing could or should be done!!

8
Significance of the Anschluss

• The Anschluss had proved to Hitler, yet again,
  that he could get away with international
  bullying
• In retrospect, we know he would use these tactics
  again

9
Significance of the Anschluss

• It also gave Hitler control of Austrias iron and
  steel industries and her engineering industries
  (for armaments)
• Austria provided a springboard for any potential
  invasion of South-eastern Europe if Hitler so
  decided (Czechoslovakia)

10
Significance of the Anschluss

• He was able to use the funds of the Austrian
  Central Bank and use the countries vast gold
  reserves
• His attention now turned to Czechoslovakia whose
  important Western provinces were now virtually
  surrounded by Germany

11
A British cartoon of 1938 shows Germany crushing
Austria. Next in line is Czechoslovakia. At
the back, Britain says to France, who is
next-to-last Why should we take a stand about
someone pushing someone else when its all so far
away?