Appeasement Policy Always Leads to War.

The definition of Appeasement means giving in to someone on the basis that their demands seem reasonable and justified. It can also be described as giving a bully what he wants. This policy of appeasement leads to Hitler's rise in power and the beginning of World War II. The appeasement policy of World War II is an excellent example of how this policy has and will continue to lead to wars.

In the 1930's many government officials in both Britain and France felt that the Treaty of Versailles had placed hardships on Germany that seemed unfair. Sensing this, Hitler decided to start to build up his army. The major politicians of Britain and France ignored the breach of the Treaty of Versailles and felt that Germany had a right to protect itself. Britain even made a navel agreement with Germany including its right to a navy as big as 35% of the British navy. Politicians also argued a stronger Germany would prevent the spread of communism to the west. In conclusion, they gave in to appease Hitler.

Noticing appeasement on his side, Hitler moved his troops into the Rhineland. The appeasement of this act from Hitler was that France did nothing to stop this breach of the Treaty of Versailles. Politicians justified that Rhineland belonged to Germany and why shouldn’t German troops be stationed there?

Then Neville Chamberlain, felt that by giving in to Hitler's demands, the world would avoid another war. He was not the only one who felt this way, Europe was just begging to recover from World War I, America was recovering from the Great Depression, and no one wanted to get in another World War. Additionally, many nations took an isolationist point of view.

In 1938, the Munich Agreement gave Germany back Sudetenland. At the time, appeasement was viewed as a success and an excellent example of securing peace through appeasement rather than war. Taking full advantage of the mood and realizing no one was going to stop him; Hitler broke the terms of the Munich agreement and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. This enlightened all that the policy of the appeasement had failed terribly and World War II would soon begin.

So why did this seemingly fair policy of negotiation fail so horribly and why if used today will it cause a war? It failed because Hitler like all power hungry leaders had no intention of being stopped or appeased. He, like others with his same intent, was going to take what he wanted. If others wanted to give it to him freely like Britain and France, he would of course shake their hands and take what he wanted. The policy of appeasement gave him what he wanted rather than having to fight for it easily.

Later when France and Britain realized his game and threatened him, Hitler simply called their bluff. They were unable to deliver and he took control.

The policy of appeasement in my opinion is simply a way to avoid having to deal with a bully. If you give a bully what he wants, it is extremely rare that a bully will not come back for more. It has been proven again and again whether on the schoolyard between children or negotiations between countries. The only way to defeat a bully is to stand firm against him. If Britain and France would have held firm, there is a very good chance that Hitler would not have been able to be as aggressive. At the least, the world could have been better prepared for Hitler’s plan. The policy of appeasement between the Great Wars is a great example of the creation of a World War. Politicians and countries who try the appeasement policy will find that they could end up in similar circumstances as the countries in World War II.

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