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British policy of appeasement during the 1930s - Coggle Diagram
British policy of appeasement during the 1930s
What was it?
Diplomatic policy of making concessions in order to avoid conflict.
Mostly associated with British foreign policy
At the time (1930s/ pre WWII) it was widely supported
From after WWII until nowadays, its seen as weak and dishonorable
Reasons to follow it
Public opinion
Franchise Act 1918
increased number of voters in Britain from 8 million to 21 million
Women over 30, and afterwards over 21, could vote.
Most mothers unwilling to send their sons to war.
Politicians payed more attention to public opinion
influenced their decisions
Favored collective security
fear of the consequences of a second world war
fear over underarmed Britain and vulnerable London
Believed there would be 150,000 casualties in London during first week of war.
Dictator's demands seen as justified
Treaty of Versailles was seen as unfair
Germany wasn't the only one to blame for WWI
Chamberlain believed he could do business with Mussolini and Hitler
Conservative politicians had a greater fear of communism than fascism
Lack of an alternative policy
Appeasement was supported by all political parties
No political alternative
Labour Party was in favor of collective security
was against rearmament
Economic issues
Wars are expensive
Couldn't afford the expenses of war
British economy worsened
Great Depression
WWI
Unemployment
3 million people unemployed
Focus on industrial advances
Global commitments
British offense wasn't going to be supported by other countries
Dominions declared at 1937 Imperial Conference
Politicians considered British interests to be global
British imperial commitments became difficult to administer and defend
Defense priorities
least prioritized was the defense of Britain's allies
Czechoslovakia + Austria
Neville Chamberlain's impact
Has no other option but to follow a conciliation policy with Germany and Italy
Own personal view also took play
hate towards war due to personal experience as soldier
determined to end conflict through negotiation and diplomacy
Didn't seek aid from his Cabinet
Has no faith in the League of Nations and Britain's allies strength
Distrust towards the Soviet Union
consequences
Allowed Mussolini and Hitler to get away with territorial demands
Allowed Hitler to break the Treaty of Versailles and other treaties (non intervention agreement) on multiple occasions.
Secret rearmament
Munich Agreement
Remilitarization of the Rhineland
The Sudetenland: Invasion of Czechoslovakia
Intervention in the Spanish Civil War
Anschluss: Annexation of Austria to Germany
War outbreak in 1939
Motivated Hitler to keep making territorial demands
Who were against it
Anthony Eden
Previous Foreign Secretary
resigned February 1938 due to disagreement with Chamberlain's policies
Winston Churchill
Was in favor of rearmament
Opposed prioritizing good relations/appeasing with Germany
Supported alliance of anti-fascist powers
Duff Cooper
Previous Secretary of State for War
Resigned in protest of the Munich Agreement in September 1938
David Low
Cartoonist
Cartoons were critical of the policy of appeasement
banned in Germany
right-wing press called him a "war-monger"