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Italy made an agreement with Austria that they would protect Austria from any outside Argression.Mussolini moved Italian troops to the Austrian border to deter Hitler from invading.
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This regonised the independance of Austria. There wwas a price topay all Austrias forgein policy points had to be consistant with Germany.Schuschnigg hoped this would appease Hitler. He was wrong.
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In 1938 Schuschnigg visited Hitler at his summer retreat at Berchtesgaden. Hitler demanded that Nazis be given key government posts in Austria. Schuschnigg compromised
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On the 9 March 1938, in a desperate act, Schuschnigg announced a referendum whereby the Austrian people would decide for themselves if they wanted to be a part of Hitler's Germany. Hitler was furious. If the Austrians voted against joining Germany his excuse for invasion would be ruined.
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Hitler told his generals to prepare for the invasion of Austria. He ordered Schuschnigg to call off the referendum. Knowing he would receive no help from Italy, and that France and Britain would not interfere in Hitler's plans, Schuschnigg conceded. He called off the referendum and resigned.
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Seyss Inquart a Nazi is made leader of Austria.Hitler tells him to ‘invite’ the Germans into Austria to restore law and order on the 10th of March.
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Hitler now had control of Austria. A month later, Hitler held a rigged referendum. The results showed that the Austrian people approved of German control of their country. This plebiscite (vote) shows that 99.75% of Austrians are happy with Anschluss.
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Criticised methods and called for withdrawal – did not back this up
Believed Anschluss was inevitable – close links with Germany -
Italy was consulted & agreed not to interfere and French government collapsed on 10th March so would need GB & Italy’s help to act