Germany's annexation of Austria shocked nations around the world. Especially those countries that had been stirring up trouble behind the scenes—they felt as though they had tried to steal a chicken only to lose the handful of grain used as bait. They had originally wanted to use the Austro-Hungarian Empire to weaken Germany, but not only had they failed to weaken Germany, they had instead made it even stronger.
A stronger Germany was undoubtedly an enormous threat to them. This also meant that defeating Germany had become even more difficult.
Naturally, the Austrians were the ones most deeply affected. Nearly twenty million Austrians were suddenly at a loss. Especially the older generation—having lived their entire lives as Austrians and citizens of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, they were now on the verge of meeting God, only to be forced to take on a new identity. They could not help but resist.
The younger people, on the other hand, found it easier to accept. They felt there was nothing bad about it. After all, Germany was far stronger and wealthier than the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As citizens of the world's number one power, they would naturally have greater status than before. Perhaps after being annexed by Germany, their lives would become a little better as well.
This was much like the Mexicans in another time and space. What they hated most about the United States was that, since it had annexed so much Mexican territory back then, why had it not annexed all of Mexico? That way, they would not be Mexicans, but Americans. Not only would their status rise by a great deal, but their living conditions would improve considerably as well.
Of course, there were also Austrians who opposed Austria joining Germany. They were undoubtedly the powerful and privileged figures of the