However Chamberlain's years as Prime Minister (1937-1940) and his appeasement policy of accommodating the European Dictators in order to avoid war, gives us the opportunity to analyse his influence on European International Relations.

To many Chamberlain's era was the beginning of Britain's appeasement policy of avoiding war with aggressive powers such as Japan, Italy and Germany. However the origins of appeasement can be seen in British Foreign policy during the 1920's with the Dawes and Young plans. These polici

However many now regard this as a mistake by Chamberlain. He did not have to go it alone, and in many ways created problems with this tactic. For example, the U.S.A leader, President Roosevelt, had offered to join Chamberlain, and Russia, to a face off with Hitler and Mussolini. Yet, somehow, Chamberlain believed it would be better for Great Britain to deal directly, and alone, with the dictators. Chamberlain's own dubious explanation for this is that at this time there simply was no alternative. Britain was still trying to play the worlds policeman. However this particular constable was the village bobby. And a vain one to boot.

Such a flawed judgement was worsened, basically, because Chamberlain continued in office. In March 1939 Chamberlain backed down again. German troops entered the rest of Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain protested, but took no action. According to Chamberlain the guarantee of Check frontiers did not apply because technically Czechoslovakia had not been invaded; German troops had entered by invitation. And sod any moral obligation obviously. By handing over Czechoslovakia, not only had Britain behaved dishonourably, but she had also contributed to the superb lines of Czech defence becoming worthless.

However, perhaps importantly for the rallying call to arms from the anti appeasers (and by this point there were slightly more than one or two) Chamberlain was now unable to justify Hitler's movements. By march 1939, and under pressure from the anti-appeasers Chamberlain wrote to the Polish Government promising that should their independence be threatened Britain would "at once lend them all the support in their power" (presumably the polish thoroughly checked this for any technicalities).

Magnificent, painful, upsetting, ironic.

es tried to conciliate the Germans, as did the Locarno Peace treaties of 1925 - but the significant omission was that Britain did not agree to guarantee Germany's Eastern frontiers (which even Stresemann, the "good German" said must be revised).

Pressure was now growing for an alliance with Russia. However this was a very sensible idea, so Chamberlain and Halifax continued their detestment of Communism (one week after the Anshluss Stalin had proposed a coalition against Hitler but it was rejected by Chamberlain) the negotiations dragged on without any positive result, consequently the Union grew tired of Chamberlain's stalling and signed a non aggression pact with Hitler on 24th August.

From March 1938 this changed, and it started with the absorption of Austria, (though this was more by accident than design) known as Operation Otto, German troops crossed the frontier and Heimwehr groups took over the local administration.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Hitler Chamberlain, Hitler Mussolini, Chamberlain Secondly, March Hitler, Britain Chamberlain, Czechoslovakia Britain, Czechs Reich, April Britain, National Government, Civil War, german troops, policy appeasement, foreign secretary, foreign policy, believed britain, appeasement policy, prime minister, rest czechoslovakia, ajp taylor, lord halifax foreign, national government, taylor believes chamberlain, heard hitler confirmed, halifax foreign secretary, foreign policy appeasement,
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Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)