After the failed nazi coup in Austria, a referendum was organized to democratically decide whether to join Germany or not. But one day before the referendum, German troops marched in. The referendum was changed and postponed a month. Threats and coercion were employed to manipulate the vote, resulting in 99% approval for the Anschluss. While the population’s true opinions are unknown, it has been estimated that about 70% of Austrians would have voted to preserve Austrian independence.
In hindsight it is obvious to us what was going on.
After the failed nazi coup in Austria, a referendum was organized to democratically decide whether to join Germany or not. But one day before the referendum, German troops marched in. The referendum was changed and postponed a month. Threats and coercion were employed to manipulate the vote, resulting in 99% approval for the Anschluss. While the population’s true opinions are unknown, it has been estimated that about 70% of Austrians would have voted to preserve Austrian independence.
In hindsight it is obvious to us what was going on.