Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
The policy of appeasement, pursued by Britain and France towards Nazi Germany in the 1930s, has been a subject of much debate and controversy among historians. While some argue that it was a successful strategy that prevented a larger conflict, others argue that it was a failed policy that emboldened Hitler and led to the outbreak of World War II. Here are three detailed examples to help understand the arguments for and against the success of appeasement:
1. The Sudetenland Crisis: In 1938, Hitler demanded that Czechoslovakia cede the Sudetenland, a region with a large German-speaking population, to Germany. Britain and France, fearing another war, pressured the Czechoslovakian government to accept Hitler's demands in the Munich Agreement, which ceded the Sudetenland to Germany. The agreement was hailed as a success of appeasement, as it had apparently prevented a war. However, Hitler's subsequent annexation of the rest of Czechoslovakia in 1939 showed that appeasement had failed, as it had only emboldened Hitler to make further demands.
2. The Remilitarization of the Rhineland: In 1936, Hitler ordered the remilitarization of the Rhineland, a demilitarized zone between Germany and France. This move violated the Treaty of Versailles and was seen as a direct challenge to the authority of France and Britain. However, Britain and France did not respond militarily and instead chose to pursue a policy of appeasement, hoping that Hitler's aggression would be limited. The lack of response only emboldened Hitler, who became more aggressive in his territorial demands, leading to the eventual outbreak of World War II.
3. The Anschluss: In 1938, Hitler demanded the annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany, which was achieved through the use of force. Britain and France again pursued a policy of appeasement, refusing to intervene militarily to stop Hitler. This was seen as a failure of appeasement, as it had allowed Hitler to further expand his territory and strengthen his grip on Europe.
In conclusion, while the policy of appeasement was successful in the short term, as it prevented a war, it ultimately failed in the long term, as it emboldened Hitler and allowed him to pursue his territorial ambitions unchecked. The three examples mentioned above illustrate how appeasement only encouraged Hitler to be more aggressive, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War II.