Original: Fully devoted to remaining independent but under considerable pressure from both German and Austrian Nazis , Austria 's Chancellor Kurt Schuschnigg tried to hold a referendum to ask the Austrian people whether they wished to remain independent or merge into Germany .
Simplified: Around midnight , after nearly all critical offices and buildings had fallen into Nazi hands in Vienna and the main political party members of the old government had been arrested , Miklas finally appointed Seyss-Inquart Chancellor .