Why Did Appeasement End with the Invasion of Poland?

Appeasement, a term that has been drilled into history's lessons, was a policy that confronted significant challenges when facing the forceful expansionism of Nazi Germany. The beginning of WWII saw a series of emboldened actions by the Germans, but these actions were not isolated. From the annexation of Austria to the Munich Agreement, the world seemed to adopt a policy of granting concessions in hope of maintaining peace. However, the invasion of Poland marked the end of appeasement and the dawn of a new era of confrontation and conflict. This article delves into why appeasement ceased with the invasion of Poland, and how the German violation of the Munich Agreement played a crucial role in this transformation.

The End of Appeasement with the March 15, 1939 Annexation of Czechia

Appeasement primarily began to falter after Germany’s violation of the Munich Agreement on March 15, 1939. Previously, Britain, led by then Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, adhered to a policy of appeasement, hoping to avoid another war and maintain peace. The Munich Agreement, signed in 1938, aimed to resolve the Sudetenland crisis between Germany and Czechoslovakia. However, Germany did not stop there; it proceeded to invade the rest of Czechia on March 15, 1939, creating a puppet state of Slovakia. This action demonstrated that Germany was not merely interested in regional adjustments but was seeking broader territorial expansion.

Chamberlain, in a belated realization, finally understood the nature of the German regime and the impracticality of appeasement. On March 17, 1939, he gave a preliminary warning to Hitler in Birmingham, signaling that further land grabs would not be tolerated. This warning was a clear departure from the previous policy of appeasement. The British and French guarantee made on March 31, 1939, explicitly stated that any further German aggression would be met with resistance from the UK and France. Chamberlain’s words reflected a new policy: "In the event of any action which clearly threatened Polish independence and the Polish Government accordingly considered it vital to resist with their national forces, His Majesty's Government would feel themselves bound at once to lend the Polish Government ALL SUPPORT in their defence."

The Collapse of Appeasement with the Fall of the Czechoslovak Industry

The collapse of appeasement was not solely due to the invasion of Poland, but also because of the unsatisfactory resolution to the final payment for Czechoslovakian industry shares. In the weeks leading up to the invasion of Poland, the UK and France were demanding payments for the shares in Czechoslovakian industries that they held. However, Hitler made it clear that he would not honor these commitments. This actions final blow to the policy of appeasement, as it indicated that Germany had no intention of complying with previous agreements and that mere concessions would not suffice.

Germans' Belief in Britain and France’s Inaction

Hitler's actions leading up to and during the invasion of Poland can largely be explained by his overconfidence in Britain and France’s lack of willingness to go to war. He believed that the UK and France would not risk the catastrophic consequences of another major war. Hitler saw this as an opportunity to secure a quick and decisive victory. Unfortunately, his gamble backfired as the British and French, under pressure from both domestic and international public opinion, provided guarantees to Poland.

The Political Response and the Guarantee to Poland

Britain and France’s response was largely driven by political considerations. The Munich Agreement, while unpopular, had been supported by the British public. When Hitler reneged on the agreement, public outrage was fierce, and Chamberlain's position became untenable. The UK and France felt compelled to issue a guarantee to Poland, despite the knowledge that without military support, their solemn commitment might go unfulfilled.

The French government was even more reluctant, but felt the same pressure to act. Chamberlain and the French Premier posted a joint communiqué announcing the guarantee to Poland. The goal was to deter Hitler, but the gamblers' belief in the deterrent effect of the declaration was misplaced. In September 1939, Germany sent an ultimatum to Poland, but both Britain and France stood firm in their stance, giving Poland a 48-hour ultimatum to resolve the issue.

Despite the declarations of intent, Britain and France were not fully prepared for war, and the German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, led to the declaration of war by both powers. The reality was that the threat of another major war posed by Hitler's actions was too much to ignore, and the policy of appeasement had to be abandoned.

Conclusion

The invasion of Poland was the culmination of a series of events that led to the downfall of the policy of appeasement. Germany’s continued expansion, driven by Hitler’s unilateral actions, proved that a strategy of concessions and diplomacy would not be effective. The final collapse came not just from the inaction of Britain and France but from the realization that Hitler had no intention of honoring the Munich Agreement or any other treaty. This marked the beginning of the Second World War and a new era of confrontation between the major powers.