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| 1938, Feb. 12 |
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| Schuschnigg paid a visit to Hitler at Berchtesgaden, and under pressure was obliged to promise an amnesty to Austrian Nazis who had been imprisoned, and furthermore to agree to take certain Nazis into the cabinet. On Feb. 16 Arthur Seyss-Inquart (Nazi) became minister of the interior. Full amnesty was granted, and (Feb. 19) the Fatherland Front was opened to Nazis. | 1 |
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| Feb. 24 |
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| Schuschnigg, replying to a speech of Hitler (Feb. 20) promising protection to 10 million Germans outside the Reich, reaffirmed the independence of Austria and appealed for support against further demands. This speech called forth a good deal of enthusiasm in Austria, but the Nazis, confident of success, assumed the offensive. On March 1 serious disorders broke out at Graz, and soon all Styria, as well as other places, was in a state of revolution. The government was unable to cope with the situation without offending Nazi Germany. Last-minute efforts of Schuschnigg to arrange a reconciliation with the Socialist working classes came to nothing. As a last resort, Schuschnigg suddenly announced (March 9) that a plebiscite would be held on the following Sunday on the question of Austrian independence; only Yes ballots were to be distributed (those who desired to vote No would have to supply their own ballots, of specified form). This announcement drove the Nazis to extremes and plunged the country into chaos. Hitler seized the opportunity. | 2 |
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| March 11 |
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| Germany submitted an ultimatum demanding postponement of the plebiscite and the resignation of Schuschnigg. German troops began to concentrate on the frontier. Unable to resist, Schuschnigg resigned and Seyss-Inquart became chancellor. | 3 |
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| March 12 |
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| The German army began the invasion of Austria. No resistance was offered. President Miklas resigned. | 4 |
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| March 13 |
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| SEYSS-INQUART PROCLAIMED THE UNION (ANSCHLUSS) WITH GERMANY. Hitler arrived in Vienna on March 14 and took formal possession. He had already decreed a plebiscite to be held on April 10. Meanwhile the most ruthless revenge was taken on all opponents of the Nazis, many of whom committed suicide and most of whom, unable to get away, were thrown into concentration camps. Schuschnigg allowed himself to be arrested and was kept in confinement without trial. The Jews suffered assault and humiliation of all kinds. | 5 |
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| April 10 |
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| The plebiscite in Austria revealed a vote of 99.75 percent in favor of the union with Germany. Austria was incorporated with the Reich not as a new state but as seven separate districts (Gaue). The union was carried through with such speed and energy on the part of the Germans that no international complications ensued. Britain and France protested, but these powers were too deeply involved in Mediterranean and Far Eastern problems to be able to take further action, the more so as Italy refused to join in protest. Mussolini, though his ally's success brought a powerful state to the Brenner Pass, could only acquiesce as gracefully as possible. | 6 |
| From 1938 to 1945 Austria formed a part of the German Reich. There was relatively little resistance to the Nazi regime in Austria, most potential advocates of resistance having been destroyed earlier under the Dollfuss regime. Discontent began to rise only in 1943 when Austria became the target of large-scale air raids. No government in exile had been formed, however. | 7 |
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| Oct |
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| Members of the Hitler Youth and Sturm Abteilung (SA, Stormtroopers) stormed the residence of the archbishop in Vienna. Despite original assurances that the Church would retain prominence in education and family issues, the Nazis soon challenged the Church's authority in Austria. | 8 |
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