Appeasement

Definition

Appeasement refers to a diplomatic strategy aimed at avoiding conflict by making concessions to an aggressive power. This approach is particularly significant in the context of the late 1930s, as European leaders sought to maintain peace with Adolf Hitler's Germany by allowing him to expand territorial claims without facing immediate consequences. The strategy was rooted in the desire to prevent another devastating war like World War I, but ultimately it enabled further aggression and contributed to the outbreak of World War II.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Appeasement was primarily practiced by Britain and France as they tried to avoid another major conflict after the trauma of World War I.
2. The policy was exemplified by the Munich Agreement of 1938, where European powers conceded to Hitler's demands for the Sudetenland.
3. Many historians argue that appeasement ultimately emboldened Hitler, leading to further aggression and the invasion of Poland in 1939.
4. The concept of appeasement has become a cautionary tale about the dangers of making concessions to aggressive powers.
5. By the time of the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in 1939, appeasement had largely failed as a strategy, paving the way for World War II.

Review Questions

• How did the policy of appeasement impact the relationship between European powers and Nazi Germany?
  • The policy of appeasement significantly weakened the resolve of European powers in their dealings with Nazi Germany. By making concessions, such as allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland without opposition, Britain and France inadvertently encouraged Hitler's aggressive expansionist ambitions. This lack of firm resistance contributed to a dangerous perception that Germany could act without facing significant consequences, ultimately leading to further escalations and the outbreak of World War II.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of appeasement as a diplomatic strategy during the late 1930s and its implications for international relations.
  • Appeasement proved to be an ineffective diplomatic strategy during the late 1930s. While it aimed to preserve peace and stability in Europe following World War I, it only served to embolden Nazi Germany. The failure of this approach became evident when Hitler continued his military aggressions despite promises made at agreements like Munich. Consequently, this led to a breakdown in trust among European nations and illustrated how failing to confront aggression can have far-reaching implications for international relations.
• Assess how the lessons learned from appeasement influenced post-World War II foreign policy approaches toward aggressive states.
  • The experiences with appeasement prior to World War II heavily influenced post-war foreign policy, leading many nations to adopt a more confrontational stance against potential aggressors. Policymakers recognized that allowing aggressive actions to go unchecked could lead to larger conflicts. This shift is evident in subsequent international strategies that favored containment over concession, particularly during the Cold War when Western nations were more prepared to stand up against Soviet expansionism rather than risk repeating past mistakes associated with appeasement.

Related terms

Munich Agreement: A settlement reached in 1938 between Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy that allowed Nazi Germany to annex the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia in exchange for a promise of no further territorial expansion.

Isolationism: A foreign policy stance where a country avoids involvement in international affairs and conflicts, often seen in the United States during the interwar period before World War II.

Axis Powers: The coalition of nations led by Germany, Italy, and Japan during World War II, which opposed the Allied Powers and sought to expand their territories through military aggression.