1938 Anschluss of Austria

80 years ago, on March 12, 1938, German troops occupied Austria. This happened after Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg accepted Hitler's ultimatum to form, under the threat of German troops, a government headed by Austrian Nazi leader Arthur Seyss-Inquart and announced his resignation. Schuschnigg urged the Austrian army not to resist the invasion. On behalf of Seyss-Inquart, a telegram was sent inviting German troops to Austria.

On March 13, Hitler arrived in Vienna, and on the same day the law for the unification of Austria with Germany was published. It was confirmed on 10 April in a plebiscite in which, in the absence of international observers, 99.75% of Austrians approved of the Anschluss. In the verdict of the Nuremberg Tribunal, the Anschluss of Austria was called the first act of Nazi aggression.