What was the global response to the Anschluss?

The global response to the Anschluss was largely passive, with most countries expressing disapproval but taking no concrete action.

The Anschluss, or the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany in March 1938, was a clear violation of the Treaty of Versailles, which had ended World War I. However, the international community's response was largely one of inaction. This was due to a combination of factors, including the policy of appeasement pursued by Britain and France, the isolationist stance of the United States, and the Soviet Union's preoccupation with its own security concerns.

Britain and France, the two major European powers, were the most vocal in their disapproval of the Anschluss. However, their response was largely limited to diplomatic protests. Both countries were still recovering from the devastating effects of World War I and were keen to avoid another conflict. This led them to pursue a policy of appeasement, where they hoped to maintain peace by making concessions to Hitler's demands. The Anschluss was seen as part of Hitler's broader policy of uniting all German-speaking peoples under one Reich, and Britain and France hoped that by allowing him to achieve this, they could prevent further aggression.

The United States, meanwhile, was pursuing a policy of isolationism. Despite President Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal opposition to the Anschluss, the US was still deeply affected by the Great Depression and was not willing to get involved in European affairs. The US did not even have diplomatic relations with Germany at the time, and its response was limited to expressing disapproval.

The Soviet Union, for its part, was preoccupied with its own security concerns. Stalin was more worried about the threat posed by Japan in the Far East than by Germany in Europe. Moreover, the Soviet Union was not part of the League of Nations and had limited influence on international affairs.

In conclusion, while the Anschluss was widely condemned, the global response was largely one of inaction. This was a reflection of the prevailing mood of the time, with most countries keen to avoid another major conflict and hoping that appeasement would maintain peace.