To what extent did appeasement policy lead to the outbreak of the Second World War
Appeasement policies of Britain and France brought about the outbreak of the Second World War to a small extent because the appeasement policies adopted by Britain and France, which were to avoid wars by satisfying the aggressor’s wants, was a less significant factor while comparing to the impact of the First World War, the rise of totalitarianism, the Great Depression.
Firstly, the impact of the First World War was an important factor contributing to the outbreak of Second World War because it indirectly led to the other causes and sowed the seeds for the outbreak of another war. The First World War made Europe a hotbed for the rise of totalitarianism after the war with the devastation and ravaging economic decline it caused. In addition, the Treaty of Versailles signed in the Paris Peace Conference after the First World War caused deep resentment of Germany towards Western countries due to the extremely harsh terms, such as the reparation of 6600 million pounds and the clause of war guilt. It led to discontent towards the Weimar government and the fall of democracy in Germany that Hitler was able to rise in power, who came in strong words to recover the Treaty of Versailles. As for Italy, there was also the rise of totalitarianism because she failed to get the land she was promised in the First World War, such as Fiume and Dalmatia, and resentment also grew, thus the result of the First World War sowed the seeds for rise of totalitarianism.
Besides that, devastation and economic destruction in Europe caused by the First World War greatly weakened Britain and France and made them unable to stand firm against aggressors. They intended to adopt the appeasement policy to turn a blind eye to the aggressors’ acts. Rather, they focused on their internal affairs, economic recovery and the US loans after the First World War, thus were insincere in coping with the aggressors or engaging in collective security, which also made the League of Nations ineffective without
Firstly, the impact of the First World War was an important factor contributing to the outbreak of Second World War because it indirectly led to the other causes and sowed the seeds for the outbreak of another war. The First World War made Europe a hotbed for the rise of totalitarianism after the war with the devastation and ravaging economic decline it caused. In addition, the Treaty of Versailles signed in the Paris Peace Conference after the First World War caused deep resentment of Germany towards Western countries due to the extremely harsh terms, such as the reparation of 6600 million pounds and the clause of war guilt. It led to discontent towards the Weimar government and the fall of democracy in Germany that Hitler was able to rise in power, who came in strong words to recover the Treaty of Versailles. As for Italy, there was also the rise of totalitarianism because she failed to get the land she was promised in the First World War, such as Fiume and Dalmatia, and resentment also grew, thus the result of the First World War sowed the seeds for rise of totalitarianism.
Besides that, devastation and economic destruction in Europe caused by the First World War greatly weakened Britain and France and made them unable to stand firm against aggressors. They intended to adopt the appeasement policy to turn a blind eye to the aggressors’ acts. Rather, they focused on their internal affairs, economic recovery and the US loans after the First World War, thus were insincere in coping with the aggressors or engaging in collective security, which also made the League of Nations ineffective without