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Changing nature of relations with the USSR and impact on foreign policy

10.3 Appeasement

The Rise of Extremism and the Outbreak of World War II

 A Level/AS Level/O Level

History Notes

Your Burning Questions Answered!

Analyze the impact of the changing nature of relations with the USSR on British foreign policy from 1933-1939.

Evaluate the extent to which appeasement influenced the British government's decision-making in the lead-up to World War II.

Discuss the consequences of British appeasement towards Nazi Germany and Italy.

Assess the role of Neville Chamberlain in shaping Britain's foreign policy towards the USSR and the Axis powers.

Consider the different perspectives on the policy of appeasement, including its motivations, effectiveness, and legacy.

Changing nature of relations with the USSR and impact on foreign policy

Chapter 10: The Rise of Extremism and the Outbreak of World War II

#10.3 Appeasement

1. The Origins of Appeasement:

⭐Post-WWI Weakness: After the devastation of World War I, European powers were exhausted and wary of another conflict. They were also economically fragile, facing widespread unemployment and political instability.
⭐Fear of Communism: The rise of communism in Russia (the USSR) fueled anxiety across Europe. Many feared a Soviet expansionist policy, and some saw appeasement as a way to prevent another major war.
⭐Pacifism: The horrors of the Great War left many disillusioned with war, leading to a strong pacifist movement advocating for peace at any cost.

2. Key Figures and Events:

⭐Neville Chamberlain (UK): The British Prime Minister from 1937 to 1940, Chamberlain was a firm believer in appeasement. He famously said he had "secured peace in our time" after negotiating with Hitler in Munich.
⭐Adolf Hitler (Germany): Hitler's aggressive and expansionist policies fueled tensions in Europe. He violated the Treaty of Versailles and began annexing territories, testing the resolve of the Western powers.
⭐The Munich Agreement (1938): This agreement allowed Hitler to annex the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia with a large German population. Britain and France agreed to the deal in the hope of preventing war.
⭐The Anschluss (1938): Austria was annexed by Nazi Germany, further showing Hitler's disregard for international law and the weakness of the Western powers.

3. The Consequences of Appeasement:

⭐Emboldening Hitler: By giving in to Hitler's demands, appeasement emboldened him and encouraged him to pursue further aggressive actions.
⭐Delaying the War: While appeasement bought some time, it ultimately failed to prevent war. It merely delayed the inevitable conflict.
⭐Loss of Trust and Credibility: Appeasement led to a loss of trust and credibility among the European powers. It demonstrated a lack of resolve in confronting aggression.
⭐The Rise of Nazism: The success of appeasement facilitated the rise of Nazi Germany and the spread of extremist ideologies throughout Europe.

4. The Changing Nature of Relations with the USSR:

⭐From Fear to Cooperation: While initially fearing the USSR's expansionist ambitions, the West began to see the Soviet Union as a potential ally against Nazi Germany.
⭐The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939): This secret pact, signed between the USSR and Germany, divided Poland between the two countries and facilitated the outbreak of World War II.
⭐The Cold War (1947-1991): After the war, relations between the West and the USSR deteriorated, leading to the Cold War, a period of ideological and political conflict between the two superpowers.


5. Impact on Foreign Policy:

⭐Rejection of Appeasement: The failure of appeasement led to a shift in foreign policy away from appeasement and towards a more confrontational approach to threats.
⭐The Development of Collective Security: The creation of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in 1949 represented a new strategy of collective security, where member nations pledged to defend each other against aggression.
⭐The Rise of the United Nations: The formation of the UN in 1945 was a response to the failures of the League of Nations and aimed to promote international cooperation and prevent future conflicts.


In conclusion: Appeasement, while initially intended to prevent war, ultimately failed to achieve its goal. It emboldened Hitler, delayed the inevitable conflict, and contributed to a loss of trust and credibility among European powers. The experience of appeasement had a lasting impact on foreign policy, leading to a rejection of this approach and the development of new strategies of collective security and international cooperation.

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