La grandes Posibles alternativas para contener a Alemania

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4) There were many reasons why Britain 'appeased' Hitler in the 1930s. Historians have ascribed every possible motive to Chamberlain - sheer abject cowardice, that he was duped by Hitler, that it was a noble attempt to prevent bloodshed, that he was buying time for Britain to re-arm... and many others!

There are five main reasons to explain what finally caused the application of the appeasement. Firstly, it is a fact that many British people approved Hitler´s policies. Many Conservatives liked and supported Hitler’s strong, right-wing government. In fact, Hitler´s attacks on the communists and trade unionists were policies that that the British Conservative Party followed. Moreover, many British people hoped that a strong Germany would stop the growth of Communist Russia. “Hitler is a guarantee that Russian communism will not spread westward” was expressed by HAL Fisher, a historian writing in 1936, and his view was share by many. Many Britons saw Hitler as a defence against Stalin. In addition, Many Britons felt that events in Europe were not Britain's business. Chamberlain himself had declared the following; “…a quarrel in a faraway country between people of whom we know nothing about”. Furthermore, many British people wanted peace, especially the young. The 1000 members of the British Pledge Union had even promised the people to “never again support another war”. Lastly, the appeasement was established as many British agreed with Hitler that the terms of the Treaty were too harsh and unfair. Harold Nicolson, a member of the British delegation at Versailles, declared that “the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were not just nor wise”. The Treaty of Versailles was unfair and Hitler’s Six Steps all seemed reasonable. Other countries were conscripting to reduce unemployment.

Other reasons include the fact that Britain would not be able to defend her empire and fight a war in Europe. Even worse, France did not want war, which meant that Britain would have to fight Germany alone. In fact, Britain had a very small army and was weak to go to war, it needed time to rearm. The First World war had proved to be slaughtering, and this appealed Chamberlain to prevent any conflict. Moreover, the Spanish Civil War and the bombers of Guernica showed Britain of what Germany was capable to do. The British felt that their isles were furthered threatened by the bomber attacks. The government had even calculated that a sixty-day offensive of bombers would cause an estimate of 1,8 million deaths, a third of the population of Britain. In addition, rather than spend money on rearmament to prepare for war, many British preferred to adapt appeasement to improve domestic conditions. The Labour Party had the objective to spend on housing and social care.

Chamberlain approached appeasement as Britain would face insoluble strategic problems if a war broke out simultaneously in the Far East and in Europe, it would be impossible for the Royal Navy to be in two places at the same time. It ´ll be highly difficult to defend her empire and fight a war in Europe. Even worse, France did not want war, which meant that Britain would have to fight Germany alone. Britain had a very small army and was weak to go to war, it needed time to rearm. Moreover, the British Royal Air Force, at this point, was still on the prototype stage, and it would not be finish until 1939. War was not suitable. Another reason for appeasement, was the lack of support to Britain from the other powers, particularly from the United States. Any attempt to halt the expansion of the Japanese Empire, called for American cooperation, but the USA would refuse to emerge from her self-imposed isolation. Furthermore, Chamberlain´s desire to avoid a war matched with the British population anxiety to prevent any conflict like the First World War, which had caused the death and mutilation of so many. Chamberlain & many others remembered the slaughter of the First World War, and decided to try to evade any event similar to it. The British were frightened to live something like the First World War, which explains why so many strongly desired peace. The 1000 members of the British Pledge Union had even promised the people to “never again support another war”. Germany´s role on the Spanish Civil War also led Chamberlain to adapt appeasement. The bombers of Guernica showed Britain of what Germany was capable to do. The British felt that their isles were furthered threatened by the bomber attacks. The government had even calculated that a sixty-day offensive of bombers would cause an estimate of 1,8 million deaths, a third of the population of Britain. To this was added the new awareness that bombers could bring the war to their cities. It was not surprising after all, that fear for the future should lead to a public mood which favored peace at almost any price. Lastly, Chamberlain was truly committed to appeasement and confident that he would make the difference and achieve peace. He felt sure that a British statesman could make all the difference between peace and war in Europe. He disliked the Nazis but believed you did not have to like people to live alongside them. Chamberlain believed that he would be the

5)

When the French Prime Minister, Edouard Daladier, came to London in April 1937, he was told that the British support for military action against Germany was out of the question. Even together, if Germany invaded the Sudetes, France and Britain would not be able to defeat them and save Czechoslovakia. The British were decided not to enter a war just to defend a remote country in Central Europe. It was clear that President Benes of Czechoslovakia would have to make supreme effort to reach a peaceful settlement. There was a false rumor in May that German troops were preparing to invade the Sudetes. This scared Czechoslovakia into a partial mobilization of their army. A crisis broke out when on 12 of September; Hitler demanded self-determination, meaning to have the right to unite Germany with the Sudetenland. Chamberlain responded with the so called Plan Z; he, and the British Prime Minister would fly to Germany to talk to Hitler, face to face. 3 days later Chamberlain met Hitler at Berchtesgaden, where the Fuhrer described the Sudetenland as the “last major problem to be solved” and declared that he would risk war to bring the Sudeten Germans into the Reich. Chamberlain returned to London decided that the Czechs must give in to Hitler´s demands. In fact, Chamberlain believed that it was fair to give the Sudetes to Germany, as more than half of the population in the region was indeed German. Between 18 and 21 September he and the French persuaded the Czechs to agree a handover, with compensation and international guarantee of Czechoslovakia´s defences.