1. Reasons for Appeasement
Reasonable demands
T of V
Change into peaceful nation
Hitler could be trusted
Visit by L. Lothian, D L George in early 30s
Neville Henderson British Ambassador in Berlin
Empire unwilling to give firm commitment
Empire not ready to fight
War in East and Europe
Dominions thought everything should be done to resolve existing grievances - e.g. South Africa

2. Reasons for Appeasement
No reliable allies
France divided with internal problems “She cannot keep a secret for more than half an hour or a government for more than nine months”
USA isolationist
Russia Communist
Japan, Italy - Fascist aggression
League of Nations
no faith in it
Economy not strong enough
WWI
Great Depression

3. Reasons for Appeasement
Armed Forces not ready
Appeasement would buy time to rearm
Public Opinion
Horrors of WWI
East Fulham by-election 1933
Oxford Union debate “This House would not fight for King and Country”
Did the public control the govt opinion or vise versa?
Communism
Need help of Germany?
Fascism the lesser evil