German welcoming poster on occasion of “Anschluss” of Austria, 22.8 x 30.9 cm;Date of items: 1938. Condition: very good, signs of aging.
Footnote: A welcoming poster to the Austrian government from the Nazi Party. On top is the imperial eagle, sitting on a wreath of oak leaves with a swastika inside. The text reads: The national socialist Germany greets its national socialist Austria and the new national socialist government! In loyal, indivisible solidarity! Heil H.! In all probability this poster is a reaction to the 1938 “Anschluss” of Austria to the German Reich. The “Anschluss” was the annexation of Austria. It had already been propagated after WWI, but was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles. However, both Nazi and non-Nazi organizations continued to fight for a German-Austria in what was called the “Heim ins Reich” (home into the Reich) movement. A plebiscite was planned to determine what the wishes of the Austrian people were, but Hitler, fearing a negative outcome – acknowledging the relative weakness of the Austrian Nazi movement – was already preparing to invade the country. Eventually, he successfully pressured the Austrian government into joining Germany. To the rest of the world it was clear that the proposed legitimacy of the “Anschluss” was all but theatrics. Austria was just the first target. The Sudetenland of Czechoslovakia would soon follow. (C:77)