Policy of Appeasement is diplomatic policy of making concession to enemy country in order to avoid war. It was a policy followed by Britain and France during 1935–39 and is the important reason for German success in violating the Treaty of Versailles.
Reasons behind the Policy of Appeasement:
1. To avoid war: Having seen the bombing of Spanish cities in 1936, Britain and France were reluctant to confront war with aggressive powers who were economically and militarily strong.
2. To prolong the time before war: Britain and France were unprepared for war and were in need for rearmament.
3. Economic crisis of 1929: European powers could not afford rearming and the expenses of huge war.
4. Genuine grievances: Germany and Italy gained the public sympathy that the grievances of Germany are genuine against the harsh clauses of Treaty of Versailles.
5. Fear for Communist Russia: Britain wanted strong Germany to serve as a barrier against expansion of communist Russia.
6. Failure of League of Nations: The League failed to achieve the objectives and the British PM Chamberlain emphasized personal contact among leaders to resolve conflicts.
The policy of appeasement only worsened the situation leading to large-scale WW2 as it prevented British and French to act against growing strength of Germany as they needed time for rearment. Thus, Policy of appeasement was only a failure that lead to disastrous Second World War.