Anschluss with Austria

Reuniting Austria and Germany (Anschluss) was forbidden by the treaty of Versailles.
Hitler was born within the boundaries of Austria and had said in Mein Kampf he felt Austria belonged with Germany.
In 1934 the Austrian Nazis encouraged by Hitler, had tried to seize power after the murder of Austrian Chancellor, Dollfuss.
This was prevented by Mussolini.
By 1938 things had changed: Mussolini was now allied with Germany and occupied in the Spanish Civil war. So he was unlikely to help Austria.
One of Hitlers aims was to unite all German speaking people, and Austria were German speaking.
The Nazi party remained strong and there were rumours in 1938 that there was a Nazi plot to overthrow the Austrian Government.
Chancellor Schuschnigg appealed to Hitler for help to end plotting.
Hitler refused and instead of helping he put pressure on Schuschnigg and forced him to appoint Seyys Inquart as in charge of the police force.
This was followed…

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