How did the policy of appeasement affect France and Great Britain?
When?
Which policy of appeasement?
The one in which France and Great Britain agreed to Hitler's demands.
The policy of appeasement preceding World War II, in 1938.
The policy of appeasement during the 1930s had significant impacts on both France and Great Britain. To understand these impacts, let's first explain what the policy of appeasement was.
The policy of appeasement was a foreign policy approach pursued by Britain and France in the 1930s, primarily towards Nazi Germany. It was based on the belief that by satisfying Hitler's territorial ambitions, they could avoid a larger conflict and maintain peace in Europe. The policy primarily manifested in the signing of various agreements with Germany, most notably the Munich Agreement in 1938.
Now, to explore the effects of appeasement on France and Great Britain:
1. France:
- Initially, France perceived the policy of appeasement as a way to avoid a repeat of the devastating World War I. As a result, the French government under the leadership of Prime Minister Édouard Daladier supported appeasement.
- However, as appeasement continued, France increasingly doubted its effectiveness. France's military, having suffered heavy losses during World War I, viewed the policy with skepticism and believed it could undermine French security.
- The Munich Agreement, which allowed Germany to annex portions of Czechoslovakia, was a turning point for France. It highlighted the limitations of appeasement and demonstrated that Hitler could not be trusted.
- The failure of appeasement weakened France's position, and it became clear that military preparedness had not been adequately prioritized. This realization reinforced French concerns about the effectiveness of the policy.
2. Great Britain:
- The British government, led by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, pursued appeasement primarily as a means to avoid a new war. There was public sentiment in favor of avoiding conflict, particularly due to the memories of World War I.
- Chamberlain believed that by appeasing Hitler, Britain could buy time to rearm and strengthen its military.
- Initially, the British public supported Chamberlain's approach, viewing it as a means to preserve peace and avoid the horrors of war.
- However, the policy faced growing criticism as Hitler's aggression continued. The Munich Agreement was seen by some as a betrayal, as it ignored Czechoslovakia's sovereignty and interests.
- The failure of appeasement ultimately damaged Chamberlain's credibility and paved the way for a more assertive policy towards Germany. Winston Churchill, who had been critical of appeasement, eventually replaced Chamberlain as prime minister.
In summary, the policy of appeasement had adverse effects on both France and Great Britain. It weakened their positions, eroded public confidence, and ultimately failed to prevent the outbreak of World War II. The experience taught valuable lessons about the limits of appeasement and the importance of maintaining strong military capabilities for deterring aggression.
France and England hoped that Hitler would be satisfied with annexing Austria and conquering Czechoslovakia. Although they were suspicious, they hoped that Germany would not try to conquer them if it succeeded in his initial conquest.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/mwh/ir1/chamberlainandappeasementrev1.shtml