[ jun 2005 ]
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"The general German term Anschluss - literally meaning 'connection' - often refers to Anschluss Österreichs - the inclusion of Austria in a 'Greater Germany' in 1938.
" In early 1938 Hitler had consolidated his power in Germany and was ready to reach out to fulfil his long-planned expansion. He sent an ultimatum to [Austria's Chancellor] on 11 March, demanding that he hand over all power to the Austrian National Socialists or face an invasion.
" On the morning of 12 March the 8th Army of the German Wehrmacht crossed the German-Austrian border. They did not face resistance by the Austrian Army - on the contrary, the German troops were greeted by cheering Austrians. Hitler's car crossed the border in the afternoon at Braunau, his birthplace. In the evening, he arrived at Linz and was given an enthusiastic welcome in the city hall. The atmosphere was so intense that Göring in a telephone call that evening stated: 'There is unbelievable jubilation in Austria. We ourselves did not think that sympathies would be so intense.'
" Hitler's further travel through Austria changed into a triumphal tour that climaxed in Vienna, when around 200,000 Austrians gathered on the Heldenplatz to hear Hitler proclaim the Austrian Anschluss.
"The Anschluss was given immediate effect by legislative act on 13 March, subject to ratification by a plebiscite. Austria became the German province of Ostmark, and Seyss-Inquart was appointed Governor. The plebiscite was held on 10 April and officially recorded a support of 99.73% of the voters."
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