Appeasement Overview
Appeasement is referred to as a foreign policy that is used to pacify an exasperated nation by negotiating in order to prevent any war situation. For example, in the year 1930, the foreign policies were taken by great Britain towards Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy. The then British prime minister named Neville Chamberlain took no action to stop Italy from invading Ethiopia in the year 1935 and it was also silent when Nazis took over entire Austria in the year 1938. When Adolf Hitler decided to take over the German German portions of Czechoslovakia, Chamberlain decided to put forward the ill-famed Munich Agreement where the Nazis were allowed to annex the Sudetenland that falls in the western part of Czechoslovakia.
Though appeasement is defined in the dictionary as an endeavour to bring about peace is white or come but in history, it is always known as the failed attempt of the British prime minister to keep the Nazis from starting World War 2. Today anyone who favours confrontation over negotiation refers to the historical example of appeasement citing that Chemballi chamberlain was a weak-hearted leader who was controlled by Hitler. It is believed by the historians that if Chamberlain had taken firm steps against nazis and put forward a strong stance rather than trying to appease Aldof Hitler from the very beginning then the world war might have been avoided.
The German aggression after 1935 could have been stopped if prime minister chamberlain and his predecessor Stanley Baldwin could have taken measures against the Nazis the brutal execution from the first world war is still afresh in the mind of people and the citizens, as well as the leaders of Britain of France, are not willing to risk any Divas starting war with Germany anymore. At the same time, many of the people feel that it was unfair for Germany to be pushed into signing the treaty of Versailles.
This is also believed by some that moving the troops into the demilitarized Rhineland and remilitarisation of Germany was justified on part of Hitler as he violated the treaty. It is also believed that the kind of fascism that happened in Germany was way better than the communism that was bought by Stalin in the Soviet Union. Thus appeasement became a very popular policy by mid-1930. Millions of people in Europe hoped that behaving in a polite and friendly way to Hitler could make him agree to limit German expansion and would satisfy him.
Thus this article deals with Nazi aggression and appeasement as well as Nazim and the rise of Hitler along with the aggression timeline of Nazi. As it is believed that nazi aggression and appeasement was the only reason for the second World war to happen.
Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Adolf Hitler first came into power when he joined the political party in Germany in September 1919 which was then known as the German workers’ party (DAP) also referred to as Deutsche Arbeiterpartei. India 1920 the name was changed for the party and it was renamed as NSDAP (national socialist German workers party) that was also commonly referred to as Nazi party. As it was anti-Marxist it strongly opposed the Government of the republic post the war and declined the treaty of Versailles. Holding toxic prejudice against Jews, Pan Germanism and nationalism was advocated by the party.
After which stag adopted the enabling act of 1933 in the month of March Hitler attended the great power in March 1933 as he was given unexpanded authority. On January 30, 1933, after a series of parliamentary elections that happened that was associated with backroom interest the president Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as the chancellor. Once the enabling act was ruthlessly implemented with authority it ensured that Hitler could thereafter constitutionally implement the dictatorial power with a legal obligation.
During the early year of the party, Hitler rose to a place of prominence. As he was one of the best speakers in the party he threatened the party to leave if he is not made the leader. She was aided by his willingness to exercise ruthless measures and violence so as to advance his political objective and recruited the party members who were willing to do the same. The Munich putsch on November eighth and ninth of 1923 followed by the release of his book named “my struggle” had increased the audience of Hitler. During the mid-1920 when the party organised for an electoral battle and Hitler stood as a speaker and organiser for the party as well as in street battle and violence between the communist and the nazis Sturmabteilung (SA).
Later in the same year, the Nazis gained a lot of public attention and support and therefore acquired a large number of votes to become one of the largest political parties in the Reichstag. Also, Adolf Hitler’s sharpness and keenness on the political front along with cunningness and deceptiveness helped in converting the non-majority stance of the party into plurality status of effective governing in the ailing Weimar Republic of 1933.
Chronology of Appeasement and Aggression
Hitler kept invading the neighbouring countries, totally violating the Treaty of Versailles. As many people around Europe condemned the expansion tactics of Hitler along with its neighbouring countries, the concerns of the people in Britain and France started growing rapidly. But even then the Britan and France government were too reluctant to take any major action against the Nazis at the time of the erotic expansion program carried out under the supervision of Hitler. Thus here is the list of the events which reflected the aggression of the Nazis and the appeasement that was followed by the Britain and France:-
FAQs on Nazi Aggression and Appeasement
1. What is meant by Nazi aggression in the context of the 1930s?
Nazi aggression refers to the foreign policy of expansion and conquest pursued by Adolf Hitler's Germany from 1933 to 1939. This policy was characterised by a series of hostile actions that violated international treaties, including the Treaty of Versailles. Key elements included Germany's secret rearmament, the remilitarisation of the Rhineland, and the forceful annexation of neighbouring territories, all part of a broader plan for European domination detailed in The Rise of Hitler.
2. What was the policy of appeasement, and which countries primarily adopted it?
Appeasement was a diplomatic policy of making political, material, or territorial concessions to an aggressive power in order to avoid conflict. In the 1930s, this policy was primarily adopted by Great Britain, under Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, and France. They hoped that by satisfying what they perceived as Hitler's limited and reasonable demands, they could prevent the outbreak of another major war in Europe.
3. What are some prominent examples of the appeasement policy in action before 1939?
Several key events exemplify the policy of appeasement towards Nazi Germany:
Remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936): Britain and France did not act when Hitler sent troops into this demilitarised zone, a direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
Anschluss with Austria (1938): The international community, particularly Britain and France, passively accepted Germany's annexation of Austria.
The Munich Agreement (1938): This is the most famous example, where Britain and France agreed to allow Germany's annexation of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia in exchange for a promise of peace from Hitler.
4. What is the fundamental difference between Nazi aggression and the Allied policy of appeasement?
The fundamental difference lies in their intent and nature. Nazi aggression was a proactive, expansionist policy designed to increase Germany's territory and power through threat and force. In contrast, appeasement was a reactive, concessionary policy aimed at preserving peace by yielding to the demands of an aggressor. Aggression sought to overturn the international order, while appeasement sought to maintain it, albeit by sacrificing principles and other nations' sovereignty.
5. How did the policy of appeasement ultimately contribute to the outbreak of World War II?
The policy of appeasement contributed to the outbreak of World War II in several ways. Firstly, it emboldened Hitler, convincing him that the Western democracies lacked the will to stop his expansionist plans. Secondly, each concession gave Germany more time, resources, and strategic territory, making it militarily stronger. For instance, annexing Czechoslovakia gave Germany control over its robust armaments industry. This meant that when war finally did break out, Germany was in a much more formidable position than it would have been had it been challenged earlier.
6. Why did major European powers like Britain and France initially adopt a policy of appeasement?
Britain and France adopted appeasement for a combination of reasons. The primary motivation was the overwhelming public and political desire to avoid a repeat of the horrific bloodshed of World War I. Additionally, many felt the Treaty of Versailles had been too harsh on Germany, and some of Hitler's early demands seemed reasonable. The ongoing Great Depression left these nations economically weakened and militarily unprepared for a major conflict. Lastly, a fear of the spread of Communism led some leaders to view a strong Germany as a potential buffer against the Soviet Union.
7. How did the 'Blitzkrieg' tactic exemplify Nazi Germany's aggressive military strategy?
The 'Blitzkrieg' or "lightning war" was the physical embodiment of Nazi aggression. It was an offensive military doctrine based on speed, surprise, and overwhelming force. By using concentrated power from tanks (Panzers), aircraft (Luftwaffe), and infantry, Germany could rapidly penetrate enemy lines, create panic, and encircle opposing armies. This strategy was designed for swift conquest, not defence, perfectly aligning with Hitler's goal of rapidly expanding German territory and avoiding a prolonged war of attrition.
8. Which main territories were targeted by German expansion under Nazi aggression before 1940?
Under its aggressive expansionist policy, Nazi Germany targeted several key territories in a sequential manner. The process began with the remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936. This was followed by the Anschluss (union) with Austria in 1938 and the annexation of the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia later that same year. The aggression culminated with the full-scale invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, which directly triggered the start of World War II.
