What is Dollfuss and what did it/they have to do with Germany’s Anschluss with Austria?
Engelbert Dollfuss was ruler of Austria from 1932-1934, when he was assassinated by Austria Nazis as part of a failed coup attempt.
Although a fascist dictator, Dolffuss was anti-Nazi and not at all interested in Anschluss – a political union between Austria and Germany.He as a strong leader and had the backing of Mussolini, who, at the time, was prepared to give Austria military backing to prevent a German takeover.
The new Chancellor, Schuschsnigg, was neither as able nor as strong willed as Dollfuss, and growing support for the Austrian Nazi Party, an increase in German military might, and Hitler’s closer relationship with Mussolini meant that Austria was unable to resist a forced Anschluss in 1938.
