In the years 1925-37, successive British Governments felt that Germany had legitimate grievances and this largely explains the policy of appeasement. How far do you agree with these judgements?

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In the years 1925-37, successive British Governments felt that Germany had legitimate grievances and this largely explains the policy of appeasement. How far do you agree with these judgements?

To an extent the question stated is quite an accurate reflection of the attitudes of many British politicians through the latter half of the 1920’s and the early part of 1930’s. Many in the British government largely agreed that Germany had legitimate grievances, whether it was issues caused by the treaty of Versailles, or grievances over land disputes or economic problems. However there was also changing interest with British foreign policy and this was because of the difference in opinions between the likes of conservative and liberal governments. It is not fair to completely agree with as this statement as it was clear that after 1934 there were few legitimate grievances left and appeasement was largely implemented out of fear and other factors. For the most part though all actions taken by the British government were in the interest and benefit to Britain.

A majority of Germany’s grievances throughout the whole period stemmed from the Treaty of Versailles. Those grievances can then split into groups relating to specific sections of the treaty. Germany had mistrusted France, and since the Treaty of Versailles had never been happy with its eastern borders. To prevent any disagreements escalating the treaty of Locarno was signed, guarantying Germany’s western borders, and stating that eastern borders would not be changed by force. This is therefore an example of appeasement caused by a German grievance. However it can be argued that when France asked Great Britain to ally with them because France was worried about increasing German, Great Britain not want to. This could have resulted in Great Britain instigating Locarno, securing French borders, therefore eliminating the need for a Britain-France alliance which suggests that Britain’s interest and benefit played a higher role in the policy for appeasement.

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Another event that had a role in Germanys land grievances was the Rhineland crisis. Germany had political control of this area, but she was not allowed to put any troops into it. Therefore, many Germans concluded that they did not actually fully control the area despite it being in Germany itself. Britain refused to back any movement by France, which goes someway towards appeasement. This was very much a legitimate grievance and does partly explain the policy of appeasement. However, as with Locarno, there is conflicting other factors involving Britain’s interests that also explains the lack of action on Britain’s ...

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