Deleted member 1487
Is is possible for Germany to acquire Austria in the 30's or 40's without the Nazis and Hitler? What becomes of Germany then?
No.............
See, According the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" Austria had about a 30% pro-Anschluss vote. Without rampant Nazi Terrorism--and there was MASSIVE terrorism that few people today are aware of--Austria would support co-operation and immigration but not annexation.
See, According the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" Austria had about a 30% pro-Anschluss vote.
Without rampant Nazi Terrorism--and there was MASSIVE terrorism that few people today are aware of
Finally, the obvious question of how a Democratic Germany FORCES an autocratic Austria to unite with it seems like a obvious problem. No matter what the people of Austria think, this is like getting North Korea to unite with South Korea.
Why not a democraticly elected leader of Germany that forces the issue by asking Austria to call for a plecibite? Assuming Austria is also not a fascist state (due to butterflies) why would this not be possible?
Not only are there no Nazis and no Hitler, but Germany has managed to remain a democracy (possible but implausible--perhaps the KPD supports the political center to form a government like France's government did.)
Austria has also come through the great depression without losing its democratic form of government.
Finally, Germany is in good enough economic shape that Austria sees immediate benefits in joining Germany.
Consider that the Allies objections to Anschluss and the weakness of Germany's position means that a democratic Germany can ask, not demand an Austrian plebiscite. Austria can decline, or it could defeat the vote by a squeaker. This seems more plausible, but the setup for this is going to mean something like a milder great depression or the Weimar Republic to be run by amazing individuals instead of lackluster leaders like Heinrich Bruning.
Hummm... now I'm getting my info from the totally infalable WikipediaSee, According the "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" Austria had about a 30% pro-Anschluss vote.