the annexation of Austria by Germany in 1938. Hitler had forced the resignation of the Austrian Chancellor by demanding that he admit Nazis into his cabinet. The new Chancellor, a pro-Nazi, invited German troops to enter the country on the pretext of restoring law and order.
Origin:
German, from anschliessen 'to join'
Anschluss in other Oxford dictionaries
Definition of Anschluss in the US English dictionary
