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b'By 1937, Hitler\\u2019s ever-growing ambitions were driving Europe to the brink of war. Ever restless, he knew that Germany must conquer the world, or be destroyed. His first target was Austria, his homeland, whose annexation to Germany would unite German blood under one indomitable Reich. However, in an effort to avoid Nazi rule, the Austrian Chancellor, Kurt Schuschnigg, called a referendum on annexation, to show the Austrian people\\u2019s will against it. Hitler\\u2019s reaction was one of rage, and on the morning of Friday, the 11th of March, 1938, he sent an ultimatum to Vienna. At 5.30am the next day, the German army crossed into Austria. It was met by great cheering crowds, and Hitler\\u2019s arrival in Vienna was one of true apotheosis\\u2026 Yet the darkness at the heart of Hitler\\u2019s European dream was also emerging, as the Nazis began to detain and repress Austrian minorities, particularly the Jewish population, on an unprecedented scale.\\n\\nJoin Tom and Dominic as they discuss the annexation of Austria, and the post-war myth of Austria\\u2019s victimisation at the hands of Hitler and the Nazis. They also look at the Nazis\\u2019 first acts of violence, discrimination and deportation against Vienna\\u2019s Jewish population, prefiguring the horrors to follow.\\n\\n\\nTwitter:\\n@TheRestHistory\\n@holland_tom\\n@dcsandbrook\\n\\nProducer: Theo Young-Smith\\nAssistant Producer: Tabby Syrett\\nExecutive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices'