Re-examines the controversial policy of appeasement. The text suggests that the mood of the age in British society served to support appeasement, by analyzing the cluster of military, strategic, imperial and economic forces which served to justify it. The book argues that, when Neville Chamberlain came to power, appeasement was part of a broad consensus in British society to avoid a second world war. It provides an interpretation of Chamberlain's conduct by showing how he used and abused the mood of the age to justify a selfish and ambitious policy which was idealogically prejudiced. Yet, when Hitler entered Prague in March 1939, the public mood changed, and Chamberlain found himself a prisoner of a new mood which forced him to make a tactical and half-hearted attempt to stand up to Hitler for which he had no enthusiasm.

About the Author
Frank McDonough is Senior Lecturer in Modern Political History at Liverpool John Moores University


Book Information
ISBN 9780719048326
Author Frank McDonough
Format Paperback
Page Count 208
Imprint Manchester University Press
Publisher Manchester University Press
Weight(grams) 249g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 138mm * 11mm