Appeasement policy 

Question 1. The five most important reasons for Britain following the Appeasement policy, were:

1. Some British people approved of Hitler's policies.

2. The British people hoped that a strong Germany would stop the growth of Communist Russia.
3. Many people felt that events in Europe were not Britain's business.
4. Many British people wanted peace.
5. Many British people agreed with Hitler that the Treaty of Versailles was unfair.

Question 2. Source Analysis

David Low cartoon on appeasement published in Evening Standard 8 July 1936 Stepping Stone to glory Spineless
leaders of democracy Hitler goose-steps across the ' spineless leaders of democracy ' The first three steps are
labelled rearmament , Rhineland and Danzig .

Nowadays, when we use the word 'appeasement', we take it to mean: 'giving in to a bully'.  
Consequently, many people have criticised Chamberlain for appeasing Hitler.

This is not quite fair, because in the 1930s, the word 'appeasement' meant what we would today call
'negotiation'; Chamberlain, realising that 'collective security' had failed, tried to negotiate peace with
Hitler. 

The meaning of this cartoon is a criticism of appeasement.

- Hitler goose-steps across Europe –He is growing in power
- He is thumbing his nose – he holds the other leaders in contempt
- He is goose – stepping – a reference to Nazi militarism
- The spineless leaders of democracy are letting him walk over them – they are failing to stand up to
him (especially in March 1936 when he reoccupied the Rhineland
- The first three steps are taken and the goal is ‘boss of the universe – Hitler will not stop until he is
stopped

This cartoon is an attempt to persuade the British government that it needs to stand up to Hitler.

- A Nazi soldier leans on Austria - Hitler is bullying Austria, forcing Schuschnigg to accept Nazis into
his government
- Other countries are in line behind Austria – (The cartoonist -Low’s correct) belief is that Hitler
would not stop and that when he has conquer Austria he would move on to bullying Czechoslovakia.
- Britain and France stand at the back reassuring each other that they do not need to do anything
because it is all happening so far away- this is directly contrary to the message of the cartoon which
clearly shows they ARE affected and that their turn will come eventually.
- Low’s cartoon are built around a theme that appeasement will not stop Hitler who will just go on
demanding more until he is stopped.

3. Historians have said that appeasement:

1. Let Hitler grow stronger.
2. Gave Britain time to re-arm.
3. Humiliated Britain – no country in central Europe ever trusted Britain again.
4. Abandoned millions of people to the Nazis.
5. Caused the war, by encouraging Hitler to think he could do anything.
6. Gave Britain the moral high ground – when war came, Britons knew they had done everything
possible to keep the peace.
7. Would never have stopped Hitler, who was determined to go to war.
8. Was a fine attempt to prevent the deaths of millions of people in a war.