In the context of international tensions prior to World War II, what did the term 'appeasement' refer to?

The term 'appeasement' in the context of international tensions prior to World War II specifically refers to the strategy of making concessions to aggressive powers, like Nazi Germany, in the hopes of maintaining peace and preventing further conflict. This approach was notably exemplified by the actions of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who believed that satisfying the demands of Adolf Hitler would avert another devastating war following the horrors of World War I.

The policy of appeasement is often associated with the Munich Agreement of 1938, where European powers allowed Hitler to annex parts of Czechoslovakia without facing military opposition. This strategy ultimately failed as it only emboldened aggressive states, leading to the escalation of tensions and the onset of the Second World War. In contrast, strengthening military alliances or increasing economic sanctions would not align with the essence of appeasement, which was fundamentally about yielding to demands rather than taking a confrontational or defensive stance. Promoting socialist movements also diverges from the context of appeasement, as it does not pertain to foreign policy regarding aggressive nations.