18.1.3

Appeasement

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Appeasement

Some argue that Hitler was able to become so powerful because Western politicians followed a policy of ‘appeasement’. This means they gave in to the demands of Hitler to avoid war.

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Chamberlain

  • Neville Chamberlain was the Prime Minister of Great Britain between 1937 and 1940 AD.
  • Chamberlain agreed to give Hitler what he wanted to avoid war.
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Example of appeasement

  • An example of appeasement is the Sudetenland Crisis in 1938 AD.
  • Hitler invaded the Sudetenland, an area in Czechoslovakia.
  • Chamberlain negotiated with Hitler. Hitler promised to not invade any more of Czechoslovakia in return for keeping the Sudetenland. This agreement was called the Munich Agreement. Chamberlain was happy with this result.
  • Months later, Hitler invaded all of Czechoslovakia and the British did not stop him.
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Reasons for appeasement

  • There were several reasons for appeasement.
  • The memory of World War One was raw.
  • Britain and France were not ready for another war.
  • The Fascist dictatorships in Europe were 'protecting' Britain and France from the Communist dictatorship in the Soviet Union.
    • Chamberlain believed Hitler was the ‘better of two evils’.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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