1. WHY DID BRITAIN FOLLOW A POLICY OF APPEASEMENT?

2. Impact of First World War
Hardly a family had escaped a loss or injury of a loved one
Had been fought as a moral crusade a war for democracy and a “war to end all wars”
Britain’s policy in the 1920’s and 30’s was a continuation of this mood

3. Membership of the League of Nations
A policy of conciliation, negotiation, and concession seemed to be consistent with membership.
Collective security would deter aggressors
Appeasement was a way of reinforcing the League
When league was discredited appeasement become the alternative to the League

4. The fear of financial cost of a war
A strong economy was essential for a strong defence
Military people worried that the nation could not rearm
Politicians argued the Br. Could not afford to rearm

5. The political cost
Oxford University Debate in Feb “This House will in no circumstance fight for King and Country”
East- Fulham by-election Oct. 1933
So called Peace Ballot of 1934/5 millions of pupil signed a petition stressing the use of non-violent methods to solve disputes

6. Political Cost
All of these would appear to demonstrate strong anti-war feelings and possible (certain?) defeat facing any government trying to introduce re-armament

7. Feelings over the Treaty of Versailles
Policy of appeasement also arose out of feelings of guilt
The reparations and the punitive treatment of Germany
The widespread belief that much of the territorial clauses were unjust
Br. Was ready to admit German grievances and was prepared to something about them

8. Stronger Germany necessarily a bad thing?
Might bring about political and economical stability to Central Europe
A valuable trading partner and in the 1930’s Br. Needed this
A prosperous and contented Germany less likely to veer towards political extremism
Would also ,therefore, be a defence against Communist Russia, which seemed more of a threat than a Nazi Germany

9. Similarly in the Far East
Japan could contain Russian expansion
Invasion of Manchuria was reprehensible BUT, the Chinese were weak, decadent, corrupt,and too internally divided to be worth supporting

10. Britain not strong enough?
No real alternative since the country was not strong enough to face dictators alone and had no reliable allies
Overextended navy
Cuts in all the armed forces
Believed that Germany and Italy were too strong and modern

11. The Bomber would always get through
Governmental figures suggested huge civilian casualties would result
Britain ill-prepared for air defences
RAF had until later no effective fighters or longer range bombers
Shelters, radar etc still to be developed
Images of Guernica