Appeasement

Definition

Appeasement is a diplomatic strategy aimed at avoiding conflict by making concessions to an aggressor. This approach was notably used in the interwar period, particularly by Britain and France, in an attempt to maintain peace and stability in Europe after the devastation of World War I. The policy is often associated with the belief that satisfying the demands of aggressive powers, like Nazi Germany, would prevent further hostilities and maintain a fragile peace.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The policy of appeasement was largely motivated by the desire to avoid another catastrophic war following World War I, which had resulted in immense loss of life and economic devastation.
2. Many leaders believed that if they satisfied the demands of aggressive nations like Germany and Italy, they could maintain peace in Europe and buy time for military rearmament.
3. Appeasement reached its most critical moment with the Munich Agreement in 1938, where Britain and France permitted Germany's expansion into Czechoslovakia without military intervention.
4. The failure of appeasement is often highlighted by its inability to deter further aggression from Hitler, leading to the outbreak of World War II just a year later.
5. Critics argue that appeasement emboldened dictators like Hitler, demonstrating that aggressive actions could be met with concessions rather than resistance.

Review Questions

• How did the policy of appeasement reflect the attitudes of European leaders toward the aftermath of World War I?
  • European leaders' attitudes toward the aftermath of World War I were heavily influenced by the desire to prevent another large-scale conflict. The catastrophic impacts of the previous war left many feeling that any strategy that could maintain peace, even through concessions to aggressive powers like Nazi Germany, was worth pursuing. This led to a widespread belief that negotiation and compromise were preferable to confrontation, which ultimately shaped the policy of appeasement.
• Discuss how the Munich Agreement exemplifies the failures and consequences of the appeasement strategy.
  • The Munich Agreement exemplifies the failures of appeasement by showcasing how it allowed Hitler to expand his territory without facing any real opposition from major European powers. While leaders believed they were ensuring peace by conceding to Hitler's demands for Czechoslovakia, this only encouraged further aggression. The agreement failed to curb Nazi ambitions, leading directly to World War II just months later and illustrating how dangerous unchecked aggression can be.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of appeasement on international relations in Europe during the 20th century.
  • The long-term implications of appeasement significantly altered international relations in Europe throughout the 20th century. The perceived weakness displayed by Britain and France fostered an environment where aggressive regimes felt emboldened to pursue expansionist policies without fear of intervention. This set a precedent that led to a re-evaluation of diplomatic strategies post-World War II, prompting nations to adopt more assertive stances against aggression in order to maintain peace and stability in Europe. The lessons learned from appeasement influenced future international policies aimed at deterrence and collective security.

Related terms

Munich Agreement: A 1938 settlement allowing Nazi Germany to annex parts of Czechoslovakia, specifically the Sudetenland, in an effort to appease Adolf Hitler.

League of Nations: An international organization founded after World War I aimed at maintaining peace; however, its inability to enforce decisions diminished its effectiveness and contributed to the policy of appeasement.

Chamberlain: Neville Chamberlain was the British Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany, famously declaring 'peace for our time' after the Munich Agreement.