What was "appeasement"?

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What was “appeasement”?

The definition of appeasement is to pacify someone, to avoid war at nearly all costs.  It is more famously recognised as the policy implemented by Neville Chamberlain, following Hitler’s attempts at taking over territory in Europe, prior to War World 2.

Indications of appeasement could be witnessed during the 20s and early 30s.  After World War 1, Britain definitely did not want another war.  It was always looking to avoid military opposition with Hitler.  In early 1938 when Hitler condemned what he called, the persecution of Germans by Czechs in the Sudetenland, Chamberlain searched for a way to resolve potential conflict peacefully.  The attempted settlement of the Sudetenland crisis resulted in the Munich agreement.  On 30 September 1938, Chamberlain established with Hitler that the ‘German’ parts of Czechoslovakia constituted Hitler’s territory.  Both parties agreed to avoid war.  Britain was financially unprepared for war and the Allies were in fear of Communism spreading in Europe if Germany became weak.

Chamberlain realised that Hitler’s hunger for territory was unlimited, when Germany invaded Czechoslovakia in 1939. Chamberlain consequently announced an end to appeasement on 6 April 1939, and officially declared that it would defend Poland if it was invaded.  This was not enough to stop Hitler invading Poland, commemorating the start of World War 2.

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Why have historians differed in their views of appeasement in the 1930s?

It is important to realise that views have significantly changed over time.  Those who lived through the events had an emotional attitude.  Later, hindsight increased along with the declassification of related information.  Information that was secret at the time was later revealed, which has altered views since.    

Contemporaries, who wrote about their experiences during the time of appeasement, were unaware of the consequences that were to follow, so they mainly supported appeasement.  Examples include speeches delivered by Neville Chamberlain himself: “What we had ...

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