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Setting the Scene
📖 Setting the Scene
It's 30 September 1938. A plane touches down at Heston Aerodrome, west London. Out steps Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, waving a piece of paper signed by Adolf Hitler. The cameras flash. The crowd cheers. "I believe it is peace for our time," he declares. He has just returned from Munich, where he agreed to hand over a chunk of Czechoslovakia to Germany — without even asking the Czechs. Most of Britain celebrates. Winston Churchill, almost alone, calls it "a total and unmitigated defeat." Within six months, Hitler will seize the rest of Czechoslovakia. Within a year, Europe will be at war.
What is appeasement?: Giving in to demands to avoid conflict — letting Hitler have what he wanted
History glossary
- What is appeasement?
- Giving in to demands to avoid conflict — letting Hitler have what he wanted
What Was Appeasement?
Appeasement = giving in to demands to avoid conflict. Britain and France repeatedly gave Hitler what he wanted, hoping he would be satisfied and stop.
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🧠 Memory Aid
Reasons FOR appeasement — "FUBFC":
- Fear of war (WW1 memories, public opinion, Peace Ballot)
- Unready militarily (rearmament only started 1936, RAF weak)
- Believed Versailles was unjust (Hitler seemed to be correcting grievances)
- Feared Communism (Hitler as bulwark against USSR)
- Couldn't rely on allies (USA isolationist, France weak, USSR distrusted)
Reasons AGAINST appeasement — "EMBM":
- Encouraged Hitler — each success made him bolder
- Made Germany stronger — gained industry, resources, fortifications
- Betrayed Czechoslovakia — not even consulted at Munich
- Missed chances — Rhineland (1936) was the best moment to stop Hitler cheaply: only 22,000 German troops with retreat orders vs ~250,000 French
The key quote to learn: Chamberlain, September 1938: "Peace for our time" — six months later, Hitler seized all of Czechoslovakia.
Now try it yourself
Quiz · Question 1 of 8
What is the term for the policy of giving in to Hitler's demands in order to avoid war?
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This topic in real past papers
Every real exam question we've found on appeasement, with a full worked answer.