The Anschluss was the annexation of A ia by Nazi. Germany in March, 1938. The popularity of the Austrian Nazi party grew in Austria as Hitler gained power in Germany. There was a demand by the Austrian Nazis of Austria to join Germany. In 1935 Austrian chancellor, Kurt von Schuschnigg, used the police to suppress the Nazi supporters in Austria. Following the increasing violence and demands from Hitler, Austria agreed to a union. Schuschnigg met with Hitler on February 12, 1938, at Berchtesgaden in an attempt to avoid the take over of Austria. 

Hitler presented Schuschnigg with a set of demands which included appointment of the known Austrian Nazi sympathizers, to be positioned at great power in the Austrian government. In return Hitler would reaffirm his support for Austria’s national sovereignty. Schuschnigg accepted Hitler’s terms. On 9 March, 1938, in an effort to preserve Austria’s independence, Schuschnigg scheduled a plebiscite on the issue of unification for 13th March. Hitler sent an ultimatum to Schuschnigg on 11th March, demanding that he should hand over all power to the Austrian Nazis or face an invasion. Schuschnigg resigned and allowed the Nazis to take over the government. On 12th March, Germany invaded, and the enthusiasm that followed gave Hitler the cover to annex Austria outright on 13 th March.