Munich Disagreement

[markgjesdal]

In September 1938, leaders of Italy, France, and England met to talk about Hitler and his power trip. These three countries and Hitler agreed that Germany could have the Sudetenland (1/3 of Czechoslovakia) if they discontinue their lust for more territory. Hitler solemnly agreed and went on his way. Hitler had no intentions of following his agreement and captured all of Czechoslovakia. Why wouldn't Italy, France or England or all three keep a closer eye on Hitler after the agreement to make sure he honoured his agreement? To me this seems a little like not fully putting out the coals of a fire and those coals end up reflaming a blaze.

[Mr. Delainey]

Firstly, Italy was friendly to Germany.

Secondly, the Great Depression had weakened the economic, political and military power of both England and France.

Remember that Germany had staved off the depression by pump priming (building public works, military build-up, etc.) and so it was comparatively stronger.

If France and England wanted to do something, they needed to do something not in 1938 when Germany's military was so strong. They should've acted in the early 30s. Even as late as 1935 (when German troops marched into the Rhineland) the Germans could have been pushed back if the democracies showed the proper resolve.