Realistic Option for Chamberlain in 1938 Essay Example for Free

Realistic cream for Chamberlain in 1938 EssayAsses the view that appeasement was the scarce pictorial option for Chamberlain in 1938Appeasement was the British foreign policy adopted by Chamberlain in the wake of world War Two. This policy was seen as cowardice and Chamberlain received huge criticism for maintaining it throughout the road to war and died with the title of the man who was also coward to stand up to Hitler and his Nazi Germany which led to World War One. Churchill, a very strong foeman of appeasement, notoriously said An appeaser is unrivaled who feeds the crocodile hoping it will eat him last1. However it wasnt till the tardy 1960s that official Government documents on the subject were generalally released which created a new view on Chamberlain and appeasement and that it was the only realistic policy for Chamberlain and Britain to pursue.One argument is the view that appeasement was the only realistic option because open idea run oned it and for Cha mberlain to lead Britain to war would go against public favour. The First World War savaged Europe and Britain was hit very hard in terms of Human losses. Many families disconnected men within the family and left psychological scars nationwide. Chamberlain was hence desperate to avoid another war on the continent at all costs. If Britain was to go to war they would check to rearm and build on their arm forces which had been neglected since world war one.However public opinion was that if Britain was rearming then they would be preparing for war, which was incredible unpopular. yard of this was in east Fulham by-election of 1933 the conservative who advocated rearmament turned a majority of 14,000 into a defeat by 5000 at the hands of his labour approach who supported disarmament. This illustrated the political affect that rearmament and policies that move towards War had which was a discernment as to why Chamberlain saw appeasement as the only realistic option.Historian Howarth exemplifies this in his agree by saying chamberlains desire to avoid war matched the anxiety of the British stack about world bought into a conflict like that of 1914-19182. Chamberlain wanted to represent and pursue the populations interests, and in tone ending to war he felt that he would rent portrayed them incorrectly. When the opportunity ofgoing to war with Germany with the support of Czechoslovakia he stated a quarrel in a faraway country between people of whom we know nothing3. This insinuated that he was not prepared to risk British lives and go against public opinion for a nation on the other side of Europe of which Britain had not previously been closely trussed with. Therefore appeasement was once again the only realistic option.On the other hand it posterior be argued that Chamberlain was appointed the Prime minister of Britain and should therefore know Britains best interests and should not be influenced by public opinion if it was against Britains trade protec tion and salutarybeing. Chamberlain knew the situation far greater than the populace of Britain and should therefore make the best informed decision without being influenced by public opinion. Simon Peaple enforces this by stating newsreels and press reports provided only limited coverage of the crisis, so public opinion on the matter was limited4 . This therefore insinuates that the public did not have a great enough understanding to influence the decision of a well informed Prime minister.Churchill, Chamberlains biggest opponent in office and biggest critic of appeasement said in one of his speech communicationes I have been told that the reason why the political relation has not acted before was that public opinion was not ripe for rearmament. I hope that we shall never accept such a reason as that. The government has been in control of overwhelming majorities in both houses of parliament. There is no vote which would not have been accepted wither overwhelming strength5. This speech by Churchill comments that public opinion should not have influenced government foreign affairs nor should they influence a decision to rearm in the interests of national security especially when the Government in power had the vast majority and could have passed any law that was seen as suitable for Britain and therefore appeasement was not the only realistic policy in terms of public support.1 Churchill speech2 20th century history 1979 by Howarth3 Chamberlain speech4 European diplomacy 1870-1939 by Simon Peaple5 Churchill speech on public opinion on the 22nd may 1935