Appeasement and Pacifism Notes

Appeasement: The Munich Pact

• Definition of Appeasement
  • A policy aimed at maintaining peace by making concessions to an aggressor.
• Historical Context
  • Munich Conference (1938)
  • A pivotal moment where European leaders attempted to prevent war through appeasement.
  • Key Figure Quotes
  • Neville Chamberlain: "Peace in our time.”
• Key Players Present
  • Neville Chamberlain (British Prime Minister)
  • Adolf Hitler (Chancellor of Germany)
  • Édouard Daladier (Prime Minister of France)
• Decisions Made
  • Germany permitted to keep Austria (Anschluss).
  • Germany allowed to annex parts of Czechoslovakia.
  • Agreement to stop further aggressive expansion (not successfully adhered to).

Pacifism

• Word of the Day
  • Definition: Opposition to all forms of war.
• Public Sentiment Against War
  • Slogans used by the America First Committee:
  • "Save Our Sons"
  • "No Convoys"
  • "War means death for American boys."

Supporting Argument Techniques

• Formation of Opinions
  • Many individuals vocalize opinions without full understanding.
• Characteristics of True Opinions
  • An opinion is formed after examining evidence, not simply echoing hearsay.
• Essay Structure Similarity
  • Present a thesis statement supported by factual evidence.

Taking Sides Activity

• Group Division
  • Students will work in groups, analyzing both primary and secondary sources.
• Role Play
  • Students to act as reporters in 1938 analyzing Chamberlain's appeasement.
• Thesis Development
  • Formulate a thesis statement with three supporting arguments.
  • Importance of original wording and comprehensiveness in evidence presentation.

Debate Guidelines

• Format
  • Students can question opposing arguments while remaining civil.
• Objective
  • Aim to persuade classmates that your viewpoint is the most valid.

Special Report Presentation

• BBC News Format
  • Each group will present their argument as if in a news report.

Voting Process

• Canvas Poll
  • Participate in an anonymous poll regarding views on appeasement:
  • Reflect on today’s debates to vote on whether appeasement was the right choice for England at that time.