Leaders gave ground because they feared war and hoped to settle limited demands. The resulting gains could instead make Germany stronger and further demands more likely.
Why did Britain and France accept concessions? The losses of the First World War made another conflict frightening. Economic strain and doubts about military readiness encouraged caution, while fear of air raids raised the prospect of civilian deaths. Some people in Britain thought parts of Versailles were unfair and believed that reasonable changes might satisfy Germany. Chamberlain hoped that personal negotiation could turn an agreement into lasting cooperation.
Britain continued rearmament, building up its armed forces, while pursuing negotiation. Avoiding war in 1938 gave it more time to prepare. But Germany gained time too, as well as territory, resources and Czech defences. Repeated gains under pressure could encourage Hitler to expect further concessions. The policy could therefore weaken resistance to aggression even though its purpose was to avoid war.
Winston Churchill, a British MP, or member of Parliament, criticised this approach. He also wanted peace, but argued for stronger deterrence: discouraging an attack by making it look too costly or likely to fail. The disagreement was about how to preserve peace, not whether war was desirable. A fair judgement explains the pressures leaders faced and then tests the results. It cannot assume that a different policy would certainly have stopped Hitler.
Worked example: Separate the aim from the result
A student writes, "Chamberlain wanted peace, so appeasement succeeded."
- Wanting peace explains why he negotiated. It does not show whether the agreement kept peace.
- For the immediate result, Munich avoided war in September 1938. For the longer result, Germany gained important advantages and continued expanding.
- A supported judgement can recognise the immediate benefit while explaining why it did not become lasting security.
Watch out for this
Continuing to rearm means Chamberlain was not really trying to avoid war.
Negotiation and military preparation could happen together. Chamberlain hoped to avoid war while maintaining defences in case diplomacy failed.
Check your understanding
Which assessment best separates the reasons for appeasement from its consequences?
- Avoiding war at Munich proves that the agreement made Germany less able to threaten its neighbours.
- Fear of war and doubts about readiness explain the concessions, but those concessions could strengthen Germany and encourage more demands.
- Britain's continued rearmament shows that avoiding war was not a serious aim of the negotiations.