Notes

Appeasement was Britain's main way of dealing with European problems during the 1930s, however, evidence of appeasement exists before Chamberlain became prime minister in 1933. Appeasement essentially allowed Hitler to break the Treaty of Versailles to receive what he desired in order to avoid war. This policy eventually lead to the declaration of world war, however.

Appeasement was used in the case of the reoccupation of the Rhineland in 1936. The Rhineland was a specifically demilitairised piece of land on the borders of Germany. After the first world war, Belgium and France felt more comfortable being in control of these borders so it was agreed that Germany lost her right to militarise this area. Places in the Rhineland, such as the Ruhr, were rich in weapons factories. The reason in which Hitler wanted to reclaim this land was to further break the Treaty of Versailles and possibly prepare for war. Britain allowed this to happen as it could be argued that Hitler only wanted to reunite German speakers. Britain allowing Germany to have this land showcased how Britain would go to many lengths, even betray other allies, to keep Germany happy.

The Anschluss of 1938 is another example of when Appeasement was used. Hitler achieved this by causing chaos in Austria to invade with the excuse of a 'restoration of peace'. The leader of Austria, Schuschnigg was pressured into allowing Nazi leadership. An Anschluss was against the Treaty of Versailles but Britain allowed it to take place with the argument that Hitler simply wanted to reunite German speakers. Mussolini, the leader of Italy, backed up this Anschluss. Britain's lack of intervention presented them as weak.

Finally, the occupation of Czechoslovakia proves how Britain's policy of Appeasement failed miserably. When Hitler claimed the Sudetenland, the Munich Conference took place and Britain allowed Germany to have this land as they agreed the two countries were not to go to war. It was also decided that Hitler couldn't occupy Czechoslovakia, yet shortly after, he disobeyed the agreement and did exactly so in 1938. Britain had realised their approach has failed so they began to prepare for war - there was no justification for Germany's actions. One way Britain prepared after this was through conscription. This was when Britain realised Hitler had gone against what was agreed of during the Munich Crisis so they could not guarantee Germany also wouldn't go to war.

Therefore, Appeasement was very significant during the late 1930s as it more or less introduced the coming of war. It is argued that if Britain took a different approach, Hitler would not have gone to the same lengths that he did to break the Treaty of Versailles.