After the collapse of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end
of the First World War, the majority of the
German speaking people in Austria wanted to unite with the new German
Republic. However, this was forbidden by the terms of the Treaty
of Versailles.
Demands for the union (Anschluss)
of Austria and Germany increased after Adolf
Hitler became German Chancellor. In February, 1938, Hitler invited
Kurt von Schuschnigg, the Austrian
Chancellor, to meet him at Berchtesgarden. Hitler demanded concessions
for the Austrian Nazi Party. Schuschnigg refused and after resigning
was replaced by Arthur Seyss-Inquart, the
leader of the Austrian Nazi Party.
On 13th March, Seyss-Inquart
invited the German Army to occupy Austria
and proclaimed union with Germany. Austria
was now renamed Ostmark and was placed under the leadership of
