Model Answer
0 min readIntroduction
The policy of appeasement, pursued primarily by Britain and France during the 1930s, aimed to avoid war with Nazi Germany by conceding to Adolf Hitler’s expansionist demands. Rooted in a desire to avoid a repeat of the horrors of World War I, coupled with economic constraints and a miscalculation of Hitler’s ultimate ambitions, appeasement ultimately proved disastrous. Instead of securing peace, it progressively emboldened Hitler, allowing him to systematically dismantle the Treaty of Versailles, rearm Germany, and ultimately, initiate World War II. This answer will analyze how each act of appeasement directly contributed to the escalation of Nazi aggrandizement.
The Initial Concessions and Their Impact (1933-1936)
The seeds of appeasement were sown early. Following Hitler’s rise to power in 1933, Britain and France initially adopted a policy of non-intervention, largely hoping that Hitler’s regime would moderate over time. This was partly fueled by the belief that the Treaty of Versailles had been unduly harsh on Germany and that some revision was justifiable.
- Germany’s Withdrawal from the League of Nations (1933): This early act of defiance was met with muted response, signaling to Hitler that international condemnation would not translate into concrete action.
- Rearmament (1935): Hitler openly announced Germany’s rearmament program, violating the Treaty of Versailles. Britain and France responded with limited sanctions and a slow rearmament of their own, failing to effectively deter Germany. The Anglo-German Naval Agreement (1935) allowed Germany to rebuild its navy to 35% of the British navy, further legitimizing German rearmament.
- Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936): This was a pivotal moment. Hitler sent troops into the demilitarized Rhineland, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles and the Locarno Treaties. Despite having the military capacity to intervene, Britain and France chose not to, fearing a wider conflict. This inaction convinced Hitler that they lacked the resolve to challenge his aggression.
Escalation Through Crisis: Austria and Czechoslovakia (1938-1939)
The late 1930s witnessed a rapid escalation of Nazi aggression, coupled with increasingly desperate attempts at appeasement.
- Anschluss – The Annexation of Austria (1938): Hitler orchestrated the annexation of Austria, again violating the Treaty of Versailles. Britain and France protested but took no concrete action. The lack of resistance further emboldened Hitler and demonstrated the ineffectiveness of international pressure.
- The Sudetenland Crisis and the Munich Agreement (1938): This is the most infamous example of appeasement. Hitler demanded the annexation of the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a significant German-speaking population. British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, driven by a desire to avoid war, negotiated with Hitler at Munich, resulting in the Munich Agreement. Czechoslovakia was forced to cede the Sudetenland to Germany without consultation.
The Munich Agreement, while initially hailed as achieving “peace for our time,” was a catastrophic miscalculation. It:
- Destroyed Czechoslovakia’s Defenses: The loss of the Sudetenland, which contained Czechoslovakia’s main fortifications, left the country vulnerable.
- Demonstrated Weakness: It signaled to Hitler that Britain and France were unwilling to fight to defend the sovereignty of other nations.
- Encouraged Further Aggression: Hitler, having achieved his objectives without facing significant resistance, quickly turned his attention to the rest of Czechoslovakia.
The Final Failure: The Invasion of Czechoslovakia and the Outbreak of War
The Invasion of Czechoslovakia (March 1939): Despite assurances to the contrary, Hitler invaded and occupied the remainder of Czechoslovakia, creating the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia and allowing Slovakia to become a puppet state. This blatant breach of the Munich Agreement finally shattered the illusion of appeasement. Britain and France issued a guarantee of support to Poland, signaling a shift in policy.
The Nazi-Soviet Pact (August 1939): This non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union removed the threat of a two-front war for Hitler, paving the way for the invasion of Poland.
The Invasion of Poland (September 1939): The invasion of Poland triggered the declarations of war by Britain and France, marking the beginning of World War II. Appeasement had failed to prevent war; instead, it had allowed Germany to grow stronger and more aggressive, making the eventual conflict far more devastating.
| Event | Appeasement Response | Impact on Nazi Aggrandizement |
|---|---|---|
| Remilitarization of the Rhineland (1936) | No intervention | Bolstered Hitler’s confidence; demonstrated lack of resolve. |
| Anschluss (1938) | Protests only | Expanded German territory; further emboldened Hitler. |
| Sudetenland Crisis (1938) | Munich Agreement – Cession of Sudetenland | Destroyed Czechoslovakia’s defenses; signaled weakness; encouraged further aggression. |
| Invasion of Czechoslovakia (1939) | Guarantee to Poland | Demonstrated the failure of appeasement; led to the invasion of Poland and the outbreak of WWII. |
Conclusion
The policy of appeasement, born out of a desire for peace, ultimately proved to be a catastrophic failure. By consistently yielding to Hitler’s demands, Britain and France inadvertently fueled his ambition and allowed Germany to grow in strength. Each act of appeasement, rather than deterring aggression, served to embolden Hitler and convince him that the Western powers lacked the will to resist his expansionist goals. The eventual outbreak of World War II stands as a stark testament to the dangers of appeasement and the importance of confronting aggression decisively.
Answer Length
This is a comprehensive model answer for learning purposes and may exceed the word limit. In the exam, always adhere to the prescribed word count.