Chamberlain And Appeasment Flashcards
How did Chamberlain see past approaches to Germany and how did this differ from Churchill
Took office 1937
Against piecemeal negotiations seeing it as dangerous and drifting from foreign policy
Instead he made the notion that Germany grievances were legitimate
How did Chamberlain see the governing bodies in Europe ?
He had little faith in Leauge of Nations or agreement like the 1928 Kellog Brian pact
He believed coming to a negotiated agreement with Germany reduced danger of war allowing time to build up defence and economy
What did public opinion believe ?
Did not support decisive action instead supporting negotiations with action being a last resort
- popular opinion though if Britain had negotiated more in 1914 wouldn’t have been drawn into war
How did Chamberlain see the situation ?
Realistically
- Britain could not fight Germany, Italy and Japan its forces would be too far stretched
- It’s small army already had commitments to the empire
- Navy couldn’t ensure both domestic and foreign defence
- Air force needed building up to support action at home and overseas
What was the difference between Labour and conservative ?
Not in taking action but instead the type of negotiation needed to prevent war
Labour supported collective security
Those who opposed were a minority with Churchill amongst them
