Reply #8: I think this is unfair to Chamberlain

[NoPasaran]

The policy of appeasement has gotten a bad reputation because it failed to prevent the eventual outbreak of World War Two. But it needs to be remembered in the mid to late 1930s Britain was weak militarily compared to Germany. While following the diplomatic strategy of appeasing Hitler, Chamberlain's government also started a defense strategy of rearmament so as to meet Germany on more even terms. And when in March, 1939 Hitler annexed the rump Czechoslovakia left after Munich, Britain and France gave guarantees to Poland which they honored by declaring war on Germany in September. And they remained at war even after the fall of Poland, rather than seeking to restore peace and allow the Nazis a chance to digest their latest conquest at their leisure.

Of course it can be argued that had the Western Democracies stood up to Hitler at some earlier point he might have backed down or been overthrown, but there is really no way of proving this. So I would argue that appeasement did make some sense, and when it was shown that it was a failing strategy, Chamberlain abandoned it and went to war.

In contrast, the elements in the Democratic Party who favor chasing after the Republicans and who have been losing elections cycle after cycle seem determined to give up more ground.