Anschluss: When Countries Joined Together!

Anschluss sounds like a big word, but it just means 'joining' or 'connection'. In 1938, Austria, a country next to Germany, officially joined with Germany. It was like two friends deciding to become one big team. But this joining wasn't a happy choice for everyone; it was actually forced by Germany's leader, Adolf Hitler.

Even before 1938, some people in Austria and Germany thought it would be great if their countries were one big nation. They remembered a time when German-speaking people lived in a much larger area. After a big war ended in 1918, Austria became its own small country. Some people still dreamed of joining with Germany, especially because Austria had lost a lot of land and was having money problems.

Adolf Hitler, who was born in Austria but lived in Germany, became the leader of Germany in 1933. He wanted to make Germany bigger and bring all German-speaking people into one country, which he called 'Greater Germany'. He thought Austria should be part of this. He made plans and put pressure on Austria's leaders. It was like a bully trying to get their way.

In March 1938, Hitler's army marched into Austria. The Austrian leaders were told they had to agree to join Germany. The Austrian army didn't fight back. Soon after, a vote was held, and almost everyone voted 'yes' to joining Germany. This event, the Anschluss, changed Austria forever, making it part of Nazi Germany.