Final answer:
Appeasement involves dangers like emboldening an aggressor, but can also offer short-term peace and preparation time. It historically refers to Western efforts to avoid war with Nazi Germany before World War II, leading to a delay but ultimately to a larger conflict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The dangers of appeasement typically involve emboldening an aggressor, because they may interpret it as weakness and an opportunity to continue their expansion without consequences. On the flip side, appeasement can provide temporary peace, and allows time for a nation to prepare for the likelihood of future conflicts.
Historically, appeasement is most notably associated with Western democratic governments prior to the start of World War II. It was a policy aimed at avoiding war with aggressive powers such as Nazi Germany, by conceding to some of their demands.
Benefits of appeasement might include the avoidance of immediate conflict, preserving economic interests, and buying time to build up military strength. However, the risks often involve the loss of credibility and moral high ground, failing to deter further aggression, and potentially leading to larger conflicts in the long run, as was the case in the lead-up to World War II.