Policy of Appeasement

Question 1

How could the war have perhaps been avoided?

Answer 1

If all of the leaders of other powerful countries had stopped Hitler sooner.

Question 2

What did countries like Britain and France do?

Answer 2

Little to stand up to Hitler during the 1930s. Some historians argue that these countries must share part of the blame for the start of the war.

Question 3

Who was the leader of Britain at the time?

Answer 3

In 1938, Britain had a new Prime Minister - Neville Chamberlain.

Question 4

What were Chamberlain’s biews on war?

Answer 4

He had lived through the horrors of the First World War and he was determined to do everything he could to stop another one.

Question 5

What did Chamberlain say?

Answer 5

In 1938 he said:

“When I think of those four terrible years of the First World War, and I think of the seven million young men who were killed, the thirteen million who were maimed and mutilated, I feel it is my duty to strain every nerve to avoid a repetition of the First World War.”

Question 6

What did Chamberlain think was the best way to avoid war?

Answer 6

To follow a policy of appeasement towards Hitler.

Question 7

What does it mean to appease someone?

Answer 7

You decide to give them most of what they want to keep them happy. You hope that they will be satisfied and will stop making even more demands.

Question 8

How did Chamberlain deal with Hitler’s demands over Czechoslovakia?

Answer 8

He used appeasement in 1938. When Hitler demanded the Sudentsnland it looked like a war was bound to start. But in September Chamberlain arranged a last-minute meeting with Hitler in Munich.

Question 9

What happened at the end of the meeting?

Answer 9

The two leaders signed the famous Munich agreement.

Question 10

What did the Munich agreement state?

Answer 10

That Germany could have the Sudetenland as long as Hitler would stop demanding more territory.

Question 11

What did Britian and Chamberlain think of the Munich agreement?

Answer 11

Chamberlain returned to a hero’s welcome in London. Chamberlain believed that this guaranteed ‘peace in our time’.

Question 12

Did Chamberlain succeed in guiding the world into peace?

Answer 12

No

Question 13

What did Britain and France do about Nazi troops invading the rest of Czechoslovakia?

Answer 13

Nothing

Question 14

What did this lead Hitler to do?

Answer 14

He was encouraged by the fact he had been allowed to get away with things once again. He now sent his troops into Poland.

Question 15

What did Britain and France do after the invasion of Poland?

Answer 15

They declared war on Germany.

Question 16

What do people argue about about appeasement?

Answer 16

It failed but historians argue about whether Chamberlain was right to have tried this policy at the time.

Question 17

What are some arguments against appeasement?

Answer 17

It was a major mistake. It gave Hitler the idea that he could continue to do as he liked in Europe.
Appeasement gave Hitler an i portant advantage. He had more time to re-arm before invading Poland.

Question 18

What are some arguments for appeasement?

Answer 18

It was necessary as Britain needed time to re-arm and be ready for a full-scale war.
Appeasement was popular as many people in Britain were more scared of the spread of communism than they were of the Nazis. A strong Germany was a barrier against the expansion of the Soviet Union.
Appeasement was a reasonable policy as the Treaty of Versailles had been very harsh on Germany by taking away land and resources.