Final answer:
Appeasement is a diplomatic strategy of conceding to aggressor demands to maintain peace, criticized for its perceived weakness and role in facilitating aggression. The policy, particularly by British and French governments towards Hitler's Germany, is seen as contributing to the outbreak of World War II because it failed to deter Nazi expansion.
Step-by-step explanation:
Appeasement is a diplomatic strategy aimed at maintaining peace by giving in to the demands of an aggressor in the hopes that the aggressor will be satisfied and cease further aggressive actions. A famous instance of appeasement occurred in the 1930s when British and French governments adopted a policy of conciliation towards Hitler's Germany, granting concessions such as pieces of foreign territory and allowing the growth of German military power. These actions were taken with the intention of avoiding a repeat of the horrors of World War I and preserving peace.
People were critical of appeasement because it was seen as a position of perceived weakness, failing to properly address and confront aggression, and effectively enabling the aggressor to continue their expansionist policies. This criticism was evident after the start of World War II, as many believed that a stronger, more militarized response earlier on could have potentially thwarted the Nazi war machine before it was fully prepared for war.
The policy of appeasement by Western democratic governments is viewed as one of the contributing factors to the beginning of World War II. By allowing Hitler's demands to be met without sufficient challenge, this policy emboldened the Nazi regime and facilitated its aggressive actions leading up to the war.