Appeasement

Definition

Appeasement is a diplomatic policy aimed at avoiding conflict by making concessions to an aggressive power. This strategy is often associated with the pre-World War II approach of European powers towards Adolf Hitler's Germany, as they hoped that satisfying his demands would maintain peace and stability in Europe. However, this tactic ultimately failed, leading to the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of World War II, as well as the signing of significant agreements like the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Appeasement was primarily practiced by Britain and France in the 1930s as they sought to prevent another devastating conflict after World War I.
2. The policy was exemplified by the Munich Agreement of 1938, where Western powers allowed Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia without facing military opposition.
3. Despite initial hopes that appeasement would secure peace, it emboldened Hitler to pursue further territorial expansion in Europe.
4. The failure of appeasement became evident when Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, prompting Britain and France to declare war.
5. The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed in August 1939 between Germany and the Soviet Union further demonstrated the complexities and failures of appeasement as it allowed Hitler to invade Poland without fear of Soviet intervention.

Review Questions

• How did the policy of appeasement influence the actions of Hitler leading up to World War II?
  • The policy of appeasement gave Hitler confidence that he could continue his aggressive expansion without facing serious consequences from European powers. As countries like Britain and France made concessions, such as allowing him to annex the Sudetenland through the Munich Agreement, Hitler felt emboldened to pursue further territorial ambitions. This ultimately led to the invasion of Poland in 1939, marking the failure of appeasement and the start of World War II.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of appeasement as a diplomatic strategy in the context of rising tensions in Europe during the late 1930s.
  • Appeasement is often seen as an ineffective diplomatic strategy due to its failure to prevent conflict in Europe. While it aimed to maintain peace by satisfying some demands of aggressive powers, it instead encouraged further aggression from those nations. The repeated concessions made by Britain and France only increased Hitler's ambitions, culminating in his invasion of Poland and demonstrating that appeasement could not resolve underlying tensions or deter expansionist policies.
• Assess how the outcomes of appeasement shaped post-war European relations and security policies following World War II.
  • The outcomes of appeasement significantly influenced post-war European relations by fostering a more aggressive stance against potential aggressors. After witnessing how appeasing powers like Germany led to catastrophic consequences, nations prioritized collective security measures, such as forming NATO and other alliances, to deter future aggression. The desire to avoid repeating the failures of appeasement resulted in a more confrontational approach toward states perceived as threats, ultimately shaping the geopolitical landscape during the Cold War era.

Related terms

Munich Agreement: A settlement reached in 1938 allowing Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia, which was seen as a prime example of appeasement.

Chamberlain: Neville Chamberlain was the British Prime Minister known for his policy of appeasement towards Hitler prior to the outbreak of World War II.

Aggression: The use of military force or hostile actions by one nation against another, which often provokes responses from other nations and can lead to war.