83 years ago, 13 Martha 1938 of the year, Hitler solemnly entered Vienna. Thus ended the process, known in history as the Austrian Anschluss - the absorption of the country by Germany. Most of Europe, guided by the then infamous "Führer appeasement policy", didn't even try to argue. For example, English Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain bluntly stated, that Austria should not count on the protection of the League of Nations.
"We must not deceive, and even more so, small weak states should not be encouraged, promising them protection from the League of Nations and appropriate steps on our part, because we know, that nothing of the kind could be done.”, - he said during his speech in the British Parliament. France took a similar stance., Italy, Poland and others.
meanwhile, from the point of view of international law, the Anschluss was a gross violation of the Versailles and Saint-Germain treaties. Both of these documents, concluded at the end of the First World War between the victorious countries and Germany, expressly ruled out its unification with Austria. However, Europe chose to turn a blind eye to this: the policy of appeasement was the official course of the English government, supported by other European countries, The United States was also in no hurry to intervene..
Wherein, do not understand, why did Hitler want austria, they couldn't. Hitler repeatedly stated, that he is going to radically solve the "problem of the living space of the German people" and that, that the only way to solve this problem is through violence. anticipated, that the accession of Austria to Germany will expand opportunities and provide new resources for preparing for war with the USSR.
The main mistake of the Western countries was that, what did they expect, that Hitler will not fight with them. However, the Soviet Union was too strong opponents and Germany was going to use all the resources of conquered Europe for the war with it., and Austria was just the first on his way.
At first, Germany acted quite rudely. Nazi agents were introduced into all state structures of Austria. Later they organized a rebellion, however, it did not bring results.. The rebels captured Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss. He was badly wounded, and he was promised medical assistance only in exchange for the transfer of power to the Nazi-controlled Rintelen. However, Dollfuss did not violate the oath and died a few hours later.. The uprising was put down.
Then Hitler began to exert the strongest diplomatic influence on Austria., simultaneously promoting their agents to key positions in the government of the state. AND, at the end 1937 of the year, when Europe clearly gave Hitler, that would not object to annexation, he gave the country's government a tough ultimatum, and on the night of 11 on 12 march brought his troops into the country, pre-focused on the border.
