Final answer:
Appeasement is the policy of making concessions to avoid conflict, used by the British and French in the 1930s toward Nazi Germany. Critics argue it encouraged aggression and contributed to the start of World War II by failing to check Hitler's ambitions early on.
Step-by-step explanation:
Appeasement is the policy of making concessions to an aggressor in the hopes of avoiding conflict. This diplomatic strategy was used by the British and French governments in the 1930s with the aim of preventing another large-scale war. They conceded land, allowed political unions, and overlooked military growth, under the belief that addressing Germany's grievances might satisfy Hitler's ambitions and preserve peace. However, this policy was critically viewed as encouraging further aggression, showing weakness, and ultimately contributing to the onset of World War II.
Many people were critical of appeasement because it was perceived as a way of giving in to the demands and threats of aggressive leaders, notably Hitler, in a misguided attempt to maintain peace. Critics argued that this approach only emboldened the aggressor, leading to greater demands and ultimately conflict. The failure to stand against Hitler's early moves was seen, especially with hindsight, to have enabled the growth of Nazi Germany's power and its eventual assault on Europe, leading to the outbreak of World War II.