Deleted member 1487
Continued
One of the hidden acts of the DNF regime was the creation of detention centers where 'threats to the safety of the nation' were housed. This group predominantly contained communists, which no one shed a tear over. This also led to the break up of many Soviet intelligence cells in Germany, but by no means all. The act sent a clear message to Stalin, he had a new competitor. Also Gypsies and the Mentally Retarded became wards of the state, with gypsies being housed in the camps and the mentally handicapped being quietly euthanized. This move was supported by many in the government and led to the later outlawing of the Communist party in Germany, as much evidence (some of which was forged) was discovered linking the party to the Soviet Union.
In Austria in 1934 (date change from OTL) the chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss began a move to take sole control over the nation by dissolving the parliment, which was met by discord in the population. Pan-German groups from Austria travelled to Germany to discuss the matter with Fuchs, who promptly saw an opportunity to expand Germany and begin to crack at the bonds of the treaty of Versailles. Fuchs declared the act an affront to the will of democracy and challenged Dollfuss to a test of wills. He called for a plecibite of the Austrian people for a union with Germany rather than fall to a dictator in the league of nations. The situation set off a firestorm in the league as France and Italy moved to back Dollfuss and Britain backing Germany, as they did not want to see another nation fall to facism. Dollfuss saw correctly that this was a test to his regime and being a Austrian patriot nearly refused. But realizing too that there was a large amount of dissatisfaction with his actions he was conflicted. France and Britain cancelled each other out on the call, while Mussolini had made guarantees to Dollfuss, there was a strong chance that resisting the call would plunge the into civil war. Ultimately he relented confident that he could rig the vote his way. However, as the league of nations was set to monitor the vote, nations like Sweden and Switzerland controlled the polling. Despite voter irregularity, the vote was mostly honest and the Anschluss began.
In May 1934, Germany and Austria united, while Dollfuss fled the nation.
One of the hidden acts of the DNF regime was the creation of detention centers where 'threats to the safety of the nation' were housed. This group predominantly contained communists, which no one shed a tear over. This also led to the break up of many Soviet intelligence cells in Germany, but by no means all. The act sent a clear message to Stalin, he had a new competitor. Also Gypsies and the Mentally Retarded became wards of the state, with gypsies being housed in the camps and the mentally handicapped being quietly euthanized. This move was supported by many in the government and led to the later outlawing of the Communist party in Germany, as much evidence (some of which was forged) was discovered linking the party to the Soviet Union.
In Austria in 1934 (date change from OTL) the chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss began a move to take sole control over the nation by dissolving the parliment, which was met by discord in the population. Pan-German groups from Austria travelled to Germany to discuss the matter with Fuchs, who promptly saw an opportunity to expand Germany and begin to crack at the bonds of the treaty of Versailles. Fuchs declared the act an affront to the will of democracy and challenged Dollfuss to a test of wills. He called for a plecibite of the Austrian people for a union with Germany rather than fall to a dictator in the league of nations. The situation set off a firestorm in the league as France and Italy moved to back Dollfuss and Britain backing Germany, as they did not want to see another nation fall to facism. Dollfuss saw correctly that this was a test to his regime and being a Austrian patriot nearly refused. But realizing too that there was a large amount of dissatisfaction with his actions he was conflicted. France and Britain cancelled each other out on the call, while Mussolini had made guarantees to Dollfuss, there was a strong chance that resisting the call would plunge the into civil war. Ultimately he relented confident that he could rig the vote his way. However, as the league of nations was set to monitor the vote, nations like Sweden and Switzerland controlled the polling. Despite voter irregularity, the vote was mostly honest and the Anschluss began.
In May 1934, Germany and Austria united, while Dollfuss fled the nation.