Anschluss

From the German word for "to join," Anschluss refers to Germany's annexation of Austria in 1938.

Hitler had long pursued the unification of Germany and Austria as part of a Greater Germany. Following a prolonged campaign to weaken the Austrian government and force alignment with Nazi Germany, the Anschluss took place over three days in March 1938.

March 11: Hitler issued a package of ultimatums to Austria, including demanding the resignation of the Austrian chancellor (Kurt von Schuschnigg). Threatened with a German military invasion in case the demands were not met, Schuschnigg resigned and instructed Austrians not to resist against a German takeover. Almost immediately, Nazi Party symbols flooded the country's streets in a public display of sympathy for Nazi ideology.

March 12: Austrian Nazi Arthur von Seyss-Inquart was appointed chancellor and filled his new cabinet with party members. Despite Austrian compliance with Hitler's demands, German troops entered Austria and were enthusiastically received by a large portion of the Austrian population. Hitler himself traveled to Linz and Vienna.

March 13: Austria was officially incorporated into the German Reich as a province, the Ostmark.

The Anschluss marked an insurgence of anti-Jewish violence across the country. As many Jews attempted to flee, others were publicly humiliated, attacked and beaten.