Appeasement: 25 marker

What is interpretation 1?

Well done Chamberlain

When was Interpretation 1 developed and who supported it?

1937-38, popular, majority view

Description of interpretation 1

Appeasement was necessary, Chamberlain gave peace a chance, Chamberlain kept spectre of the war for as long as he could, ~40000 letters and telegrams of support

Why did Interpretation 1 develop at the time?

British people wanted to avoid war at all costs - still haunted by WW1, Euphoria didn't last as soon as people felt guilty about Czechoslovakia, Think Chamberlain did a good job preventing a war - even if he had to sacrifice land

What is Interpretation 2?

The 'Guilty Men'

When was Interpretation 2 developed and who supported it + historians?

1939-48, popular, political view, Cato

Description of interpretation 2

Appeasement was a foolish and immoral policy that weakened Britain and strengthened the dictators, Widely accepted among historians + general public, since 1931: Br leaders had made concessions to JP then It then Germany --> interpretation, leaders had ignored dictators plans - failed to prepare Br for war + left it weak and defenceless, appeasers portrayed as same league as dictators

Why did Interpretation 2 develop at this time?

Most ashamed of what happened in Munich, When Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia --> people turned against appeasement, 1939: war broke out --> attitudes hardened, Many wanted Chamberlain replaced - strengthened as war went badly for first few months (1940: Br defeated by Norway), People afraid Germany will invade - 'buying time' not a good argument anymore

What is interpretation 3?

The appeasers misjudged Hitler

When was Interpretation 3 developed and who supported it + historians?

1948-60s, orthodox view, Churchill

Description of interpretation 3

Appeasement was a mistake but Chamberlain had acted with the best intentions. Churchill also tried to put forward the idea that he was the only person who had opposed the policy. His view remained influential form 1948 onwards. Underestimated Hitler, didn't listen to Churchill

Why did Interpretation 3 develop at this time? 1 (CF)

Churchill Factor: Churchill was known for self promotion and was bitterly disappointed at losing 1945 election - wanted to make sure historical reputation didn't suffer

Why did Interpretation 3 develop at this time? 2 (CW)

Cold War: End of WW2 USA + USSR emerged - 2 superpowers, Churchill saw USSR as threat to Europe + world, believed USA + allies should stand up to Stalin + not repeat past mistakes

What is interpretation 4?

Rehabilitating Chamberlain

When was Interpretation 4 developed and who supported it + historians?

1960s-90s, academic revisionist view, A.J.P. Taylor, Donald Cameon Watt

Description of interpretation 4

Very little Chamberlain could have done in the circumstances. Hitler didn't plan a war, he was an opportunist and Chamberlain could not have known war was coming, pro Chamberlain, Appeasement good: bought time for Br to build up armed forces

Why did Interpretation 4 develop at this time? 1 (RT)

Radical Thinking: 1960s - many traditional views in society were being questioned

Why did Interpretation 4 develop at this time? 2 (VW)

Vietnam War: 1960s - USA's dislike of appeasement --> war with Vietnam - goes badly, appeasement not bad policy - without it Br may have ended up in same position

Why did Interpretation 4 develop at this time? 3 (NBS)

New British Sources: 1958 - Public Records Act - official gov papers could be studied 30 yrs after published, late 1960s: huge no. gov docs available, --> historians able to study detailed pic of concerns that Chamberlain + ministers faced + how serious concerns worried them

What is interpretation 5?

Chamberlain back on trial

When was Interpretation 5 developed and who supported it + historians?

1990s - 2000s, academic counter-revisionist view, Robert Parker

Description of interpretation 5

Critical of Chamberlain: Argued revisionist view + said Chamberlain over rated his abilities and importance + thought he could talk Hitler into being reasonable, ignored advice of officials + colleagues about threat Hitler imposed

Why interpretation 5 developed at the time? 1 HD

Historical Debate: academic historian's job to disagree with earlier writers + challenge interpretations, some didn't agree with revisionist view - let Chamberlain off hook for appeasement

Why interpretation 5 developed at the time? 2 NSS

New Soviet Sources: 1989 - Cold War ended --> archives from USSR + Germany became more available to historians - new insights into appeasement