Arguments Against Appeasement
History: Cambridge International GCSE The Twentieth Century (Option B), topic 3.3.4
Arguments for Not Appeasing Hitler
War
- Hitler had written in his book ‘My Struggle’ that he would gladly take up arms.
- Hitler frequently talked about war with countries in order to make Germany into a strong country.
- Hitler made no secret too of his hatred for the Allies.
Naïve
- Some historians argue they were too naïve in trusting Hitler.
- By giving into Hitler straight away, what would stop him from gaining more land?
- Many British politicians, including Churchill felt that not standing up to Hitler or telling him ‘no’ made the country look weak and Hitler would continue to do as he pleased.
Versailles
- Some people felt that Hitler shouldn’t be able to get away with breaking the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
- And that he should be punished by the League.
Prescient
- Other powerful dictators around the world such as Stalin (USSR), Mussolini (Italy) and Japan saw that Hitler could get away with doing as he pleased.
- Therefore this gave them similar ideas that they could do as they pleased.