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Anschluss of Austria by Germany

Definition

This term refers to Nazi Germany's annexation (or "Anschluss") of Austria in March 1938. It was part of Hitler's plan for German expansion and violated the Treaty of Versailles.

Analogy

Think about two siblings who are told they can't share toys because they fight too much (Treaty of Versailles). One day, big brother Germany just takes little sister Austria’s toy without asking or getting permission - this is what happened during Anschluss.

Related terms

Nazi Party: A far-right political party in Germany that was active between 1920 and 1945 and practiced Nazism. Its policies led to World War II and the genocide of six million Jews during the Holocaust.

Treaty of Versailles: The peace treaty signed in 1919 that ended World War I. It held Germany responsible for the war and imposed heavy penalties, which many believe contributed to conditions leading up to World War II.

Adolf Hitler: Leader of Nazi Germany from 1934 until his suicide in 1945. He initiated World War II and oversaw fascist policies that resulted in millions of deaths.