WORLD WAR II COUNTRY PROFILE ASSIGNMENT RESEARCH

1. Reason(s) for entering the war: When did it declare war and on which side and
why.
Jot notes
Joined with Germany
Anschluss, annexation of Austria into Germany
Fought along with Germany
Annexed into the Third Reich which is "Nazi Germany"
It was annexed into the Third Reich on 12th March 1938
Hitler threatened Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg to sign an act which unifies the
countries but he did not want to because the Austrians would disagree with the
decision.
Schuschnigg resigned on March 11th
Hitler realized this and invaded Austria on March 12th 1938 and installed Nazi
troops and officers into Austria
This was his first step into building a Greater Germany followed by the invasion
of Czechoslovakia
Therefore, part of the Axis Powers in WW2
SOURCE:
"The History Place - Triumph of Hitler: Nazis Take Austria." The History
Place -

Triumph of Hitler: Nazis Take Austria. The History Place, 2011.

Web. 20 May 2016.

VIDEO- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t75ldUNc2Xw
2. Social impact: How did the war change life and society in the country, both
short and long term.
Jot notes
People from the 2 countries mostly got along since they spoke the same
language and essentially had the same culture
Some still remembered the events from WW1 and looked down upon Germans
After Schuschnigg resigned, people knew that they couldnt survive an attack
by Germany
They let the Germans walk into the country without a bullet fired
People supported the Germans in war at the early stages since Hitler promised
the people a great future for the German Reich
Jewish citizens were rounded up and taken to camps
180 000 Jews in Vienna, this eventually lowered to around 80 000 in the end
A Nazi education was given to children
Many people joined the Nazis
People were also not fans of communists therefore they sided with the Nazis
SOURCE:
"Germany Annexes Austria." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 2010.

WORLD WAR II COUNTRY PROFILE ASSIGNMENT RESEARCH

Web. 20 May 2016.
3. Economic impact: How did the war affect the countrys economy.
Jot notes
Was in depression before annexation
Unemployment rate was at 40% around during the great depression
Creditanstalt bank collapsed causing financial panic all across central Europe
Annexation saved the country from depression and it had rapid economic
growth
Industries expanded and modernized
More jobs were created as some would become part of the Wehrmacht
Others would also contribute to the war effort such as farming and working in
factories
Women and children also found work
Hitler youth recruited a lot of young adults
SOURCE:
"Austria - ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GOVERNMENT POLICY." Austria ECONOMIC GROWTH AND GOVERNMENT POLICY. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May
2016.
4. Defining moment / battle: Which event or battle had the greatest impact on the
country. Provide a synopsis of the events. Make sure you argue why it was
impactful and justify it with evidence.

Jot notes
Invasion of the Red Army
The Vienna Offensive was a Battle that the Soviets won
The Red Army liberated the city from the German Reich and was on way to
independence again
At this time the Austrians wanted to liberate because they were loosing the war
People were happy to be liberated by the Red Army
April 2nd, 1945, soviet troops marched into the perimeter and surrounded
Vienna from the south
After long battles, they got into the city on April 7th
On April 13th, the remaining German troops surrendered and the SS fled
northwest
Vienna fell into Soviet hands, Germans retreated Northwest to hold their next
defensive line
The city essentially collapsed, building blown up, houses torn apart

SOURCE:

WORLD WAR II COUNTRY PROFILE ASSIGNMENT RESEARCH

"Soviet Troops Vienna Offensive Allies Danube River 1945." Soviet Troops
Vienna Offensive Allies Danube River 1945. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2016.
5. Prominent figure / hero: Who was the most important individual to the war
effort from that country. Provide a brief biography of the person. Make sure
you argue why they were important and justify it with evidence.

FIGURE: Kurt Von Schuschnigg

Chancellor of Austria
Was appointed Chancellor after the former chancellor got assassinated 1934
Wanted to keep Austria independent from Germany
Hitler tried to make him sign an act that unifies Germany with Austria
He received death threats from Hitler but knew that he had to sign it because
Germany would declare war
Resigned in on April 11th 1938
Hitler invades Austria and annexed country into the Third Reich
Fought to keep Austria independent
Resigned instead and didnt sign the act
Leader and courageous man who refused to give away his country
Didnt stand down and fought for independence

SOURCE:
"Kurt von Schuschnigg". Encyclopdia Britannica. Encyclopdia Britannica
Online.
Encyclopdia Britannica Inc., 2016. Web. 20 May. 2016

*MAKE SURE YOU USE CREDIBLE SOURCES FOR YOUR RESEARCH-SEE UNIT 1
GUIDELINES
**IF YOU CONSULT MULTIPLE SOURCES FOR EACH SECTION (AND YOU
SHOULD), MAKE SURE YOU CLEARLY INDICATE WHAT NOTES COME FROM
WHAT SOURCE