The Appeasement Debate
The policy of appeasement and the case for and against it: why Britain gave in to some of the demands of Hitler, the Munich Agreement, and how to weigh both sides to reach a judgement on whether it was justified.
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Give in, or stand firm?
In the 1930s the British government chose to give in to some of the demands of Hitler in the hope of avoiding another war. This policy was called appeasement, and people still argue about whether it was wise or a mistake. This module sets out both sides of that debate so you can reach your own judgement.
Debate vocabulary
Learn these four terms before you weigh the debate.
For and against
The debate has strong points on both sides.
Weigh it, then judge
A top answer does not just list points on each side. It weighs them against each other and reaches a clear judgement backed by evidence. Decide which side you find stronger and explain why, rather than leaving the two lists sitting side by side with no conclusion.
Match the term
- appeasement
- the Munich Agreement
- the Sudetenland
- rearmament
- giving in to demands to avoid war
- the 1938 deal over Czechoslovakia
- the land handed to Germany in that deal
- building up the armed forces
For or against
- it bought time to rearm
- the memory of the last war
- it let Hitler grow stronger
- it betrayed Czechoslovakia
- a point in favour of appeasement
- another point in favour of appeasement
- a point against appeasement
- another point against appeasement
What was appeasement?
What best describes the policy of appeasement?
- Giving in to some demands to avoid war.
- Attacking Germany first.
- Ignoring Germany completely.
- Forming an alliance with the USSR.
Points in favour
Select the TWO arguments made in favour of appeasement.
- Britain was not yet ready to fight.
- People remembered the horror of the last war.
- It made Hitler bolder.
- It broke promises to Czechoslovakia.
Order the story
Put the events of appeasement in order, earliest first.
- The Sudeten crisis builds up
- The Munich Agreement is signed
- Chamberlain announces peace for our time
- Germany occupies the rest of Czechoslovakia
- Britain ends appeasement and guarantees Poland
Complete the facts
Giving in to some demands to avoid war was called _____. The 1938 deal that handed the Sudetenland to Germany was the _____ Agreement. After it, Chamberlain said he had brought peace for our _____. Appeasement ended when Germany occupied the rest of _____ in 1939. Supporters said it gave Britain time to _____.
Years of appeasement
British policy allowed German expansion from the Rhineland in 1936 until war broke out in 1939. Subtract 1936 from 1939 to find how many years this covered. What is the answer?
Points against
Tap the TWO arguments made against appeasement.
- it let Hitler grow stronger
- it encouraged further demands
- it gave Britain time to rearm
- it reflected the memory of the last war
Judge the argument
Read each statement and decide how it fits the debate.
- Britain needed more time to build up its armed forces. Which side of the debate is this?
- Each demand that was granted only led Hitler to make another. Which side is this?
- When Germany seized the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939, what did it show about appeasement?
Was it justified?
Explain the arguments for and against appeasement and reach a judgement on whether it was justified.
- Give two arguments in favour of appeasement
- Give two arguments against appeasement
- Reach a clear judgement and explain which side is stronger