Why is the Munich pact an example of appeasement? It gave Hitler permission to rebuild the German military. It gave Germany the power to annex Belgium. It stopped German repayment of debt from World War I. It allowed Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia.
The Munich Pact is considered an example of appeasement primarily because it allowed Hitler to take over Czechoslovakia without any significant opposition from the international community. Appeasement refers to the policy of making concessions to an aggressive or hostile power in order to avoid conflict or war. In the case of the Munich Pact, several major European powers, including Britain and France, chose to appease Hitler's expansionist ambitions rather than take military action to deter him. Here's a breakdown of how the Munich Pact reflects appeasement:
1. Permission to rebuild German military: The Munich Pact did not explicitly grant Hitler permission to rebuild the German military, but it effectively legitimized Germany's military buildup and expansion. By allowing Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia, the pact indirectly provided Germany with territorial gains and strategic advantages, both of which contributed to its military capabilities.
2. Annexation of Czechoslovakia: The most significant aspect of the Munich Pact was that it allowed Hitler to annex Czechoslovakia without facing substantial resistance from other countries. This act of ceding Czechoslovakia to Germany demonstrated appeasement; the international community hoped that by satisfying Hitler's territorial demands, they could prevent further conflict and maintain peace.
3. Stopping German repayment of World War I debt: The Munich Pact did not specifically address Germany's war debt or its repayment. Germany had already halted its debt payments due to economic difficulties during the Great Depression. So, while the pact did not directly address the repayment issue, it can be seen as part of the broader policy of appeasement, whereby some countries were willing to overlook Germany's obligations in the hope of avoiding war.
4. Permitting German aggression: By giving in to Hitler's demands and allowing the annexation of Czechoslovakia, the Munich Pact effectively enabled German aggression and expansionism. It revealed a willingness among certain countries to sacrifice the sovereignty and interests of others to maintain peace. This act of appeasement bolstered Hitler's confidence, emboldening future actions such as the invasion of Poland in 1939.
Overall, the Munich Pact exemplifies appeasement because it involved making concessions to Hitler's demands for territorial expansion, thereby hoping to avoid conflict, but ultimately failing to prevent World War II.