Appeasement
History: KS3, topic 19.1.3
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.
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.
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.
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’.
Test yourself on Appeasement
Who was the Prime Minister of Great Britain between 1937 and 1940?
Giving into someone's demands to avoid war: What policy is this?