How did appeasement cause world war 2?

How Did Appeasement Cause World War 2?

Introduction

The concept of appeasement, or the practice of giving in to the demands of another power to avoid conflict, has been widely criticized for its role in the lead-up to World War 2. Many historians argue that appeasement emboldened the aggressive powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan, ultimately leading to the outbreak of war. But how did appeasement cause World War 2? This article will examine the history of appeasement and its consequences.

The Rise of Aggressive Powers

In the 1930s, the world was faced with the aggressive expansion of powers such as Germany, Italy, and Japan. Germany, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler, began to annex neighboring territories, including Austria and Czechoslovakia. Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, invaded Ethiopia and supported fascist movements in Spain. Japan, under the leadership of Hideki Tojo, expanded its empire in Asia, invading China and Indochina.

The Failure of the League of Nations

In the aftermath of World War 1, the League of Nations was established to promote international cooperation and prevent future wars. However, the League’s failure to effectively address the aggressive actions of Germany, Italy, and Japan undermined its authority and credibility. The League’s inability to enforce its decisions and prevent the remilitarization of the Rhineland, the annexation of Austria, and the invasion of Czechoslovakia created a power vacuum that the aggressive powers exploited.

Appeasement: The Policy of Giving in to Aggressive Powers

In an attempt to prevent war, the major powers, particularly Great Britain and France, adopted a policy of appeasement. Appeasement involved giving in to the demands of the aggressive powers in the hopes of avoiding conflict. The policy was based on the idea that concessions would satisfy the aggressive powers and reduce the risk of war.

The Consequences of Appeasement

The Remilitarization of the Rhineland: In 1936, Germany remilitarized the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone established by the Treaty of Versailles. Great Britain and France did nothing to stop this aggression, fearing that war would lead to devastating consequences.

The Annexation of Austria: In 1938, Germany annexed Austria, which was met with little resistance from the international community. The British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, infamously declared that he had achieved "peace in our time" after Germany’s invasion of Austria.

The Invasion of Czechoslovakia: In 1939, Germany invaded Czechoslovakia, which was met with limited opposition from the international community.

The Policy of Appeasement Emboldens Aggressive Powers

Germany’s Conquest of Poland: On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland, which led to the outbreak of World War 2. The failure of the League of Nations and the policy of appeasement emboldened Germany to continue its aggressive expansion.

The Results of Appeasement

• The aggressive powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan continued to expand and invade territories, leading to the outbreak of World War 2.
• The League of Nations was discredited and ineffective in preventing war.
• The major powers, particularly Great Britain and France, were caught off guard and unprepared for war.
• The policy of appeasement created a sense of uncertainty and insecurity, leading to widespread fear and anxiety.

The Lessons of Appeasement

• The Failure of Diplomacy: The policy of appeasement demonstrated the failure of diplomacy in preventing war. Appeasement did not satisfy the aggressive powers, but rather emboldened them to continue their expansion.
• The Importance of Standing Firm: The policy of appeasement showed the importance of standing firm in the face of aggression. Had the major powers stood firm and refused to yield to Germany’s demands, the outbreak of World War 2 may have been prevented.
• The Need for Collective Security: The policy of appeasement highlighted the need for collective security. Had the major powers acted collectively and taken a strong stance against Germany’s aggression, the outbreak of World War 2 may have been prevented.

Conclusion

In conclusion, appeasement played a significant role in the lead-up to World War 2. The policy of giving in to the demands of aggressive powers emboldened Germany, Italy, and Japan to continue their expansion, ultimately leading to the outbreak of war. The failure of the League of Nations and the policy of appeasement created a power vacuum that the aggressive powers exploited. The results of appeasement were devastating, leading to the loss of millions of lives and widespread destruction. The lessons of appeasement serve as a reminder of the importance of standing firm in the face of aggression and the need for collective security to prevent future wars.

Table: The Timeline of Appeasement

References

• Tooze, A. (2007). The Wages of Destruction: The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy. Penguin Books.
• Shirer, W. (1960). The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany. Simon and Schuster.
• Kennedy, D. M. (2017). The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers: Economic Change and Military Conflict from 1500 to 2000. Routledge.